Lane Kiffin closing in on QB Sam Leavitt, per sources, as LSU’s new coach flew to Knoxville to intercept Miami after Tennessee meeting

The LSU Tigers and Lane Kiffin finally could have their transfer portal quarterback.

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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The search for the next LSU quarterback has been a chaotic affair so far, which has included a long list of impressive names, including Brendan Sorsby (Indiana), Demond Williams Jr. (Washington), and an outside hope of Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss).

With a million twists and turns, it appears that head coach Lane Kiffin and the Tigers are pulling out all the stops to get their guy.

According to multiple sources, LSU’s confidence to sign the former Arizona State signal caller, Sam Leavitt, is growing exponentially. Leavitt visited Baton Rouge this week, but things didn’t end well once the news broke that Williams Jr. was eyeing the portal and LSU appeared to be the main contender.

With that dinner conversation between the Leavitts and the LSU staff not going well, it appeared both sides were going their separate ways. That included a trip to Knoxville for the talented signal caller to meet with the Tennessee staff.

With plans to fly to visit Miami in the cards, Kiffin reportedly made a move of desperation by flying into Knoxville to intercept Leavitt before he departed. The Hurricanes had some very real momentum and were considered a big threat to land Leavitt if he made the trip.

Kiffin is trying to flip the script to close the deal in person. That relationship feels healthy, and now Kiffin could have his quarterback heading into his first year with the LSU program.

Will Leavitt end up making the trip down to meet with the Hurricanes now? The next step could tell the story about whether LSU and Kiffin were able to close the deal, ironically enough, in Knoxville.

Sam Leavitt’s career background

Leavitt was originally a member of the 2023 recruiting class for the Michigan State Spartans. Following his freshman year, he transferred to Arizona State with head coach Kenny Dillingham. In two seasons with the team, the 6-3, 215-pound passer has developed into one of the top quarterbacks in all of college football. He has managed to throw for 4,513 yards and 34 touchdowns during that time, including another 10 scores on the ground.

Considered the top quarterback in the portal, Leavitt would be a massive get for Kiffin and the LSU staff if they can close the deal. It was a flawed process with a lot of ups and downs, yet Kiffin and Co. seem like they have a great opportunity to get it done.

As Leavitt works back from a foot injury he sustained this past season, he now could have a fresh start with an impressive offensive mind to help mold him.

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