Overview
- An anonymous SEC defensive coordinator told ESPN, in reporting published Monday, that Leavitt “is not the talent level that a normal LSU quarterback would be” and added he would “rather play him than Diego Pavia.”
- Leavitt transferred from Arizona State to LSU this offseason and is the projected starter for Lane Kiffin’s first Tigers season with Kiffin saying Leavitt is healthy and integrating into the offense.
- Leavitt produced a breakout 2024 at Arizona State with 2,885 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns and 443 rushing yards but a 2025 foot injury limited him to seven games and coincided with a drop in completion rate and passer rating.
- Other anonymous evaluators praised Leavitt’s 2024 play and called him “sneaky athletic,” but they also flagged he can miss expected throws and that success may hinge on Kiffin putting him in a system that hides those flaws.
- LSU’s Sept. 5 home opener against Clemson will serve as an early, public test of whether Kiffin’s coaching and the Tigers’ offense can turn Leavitt’s upside into consistent SEC-level performance and affect LSU’s season trajectory.