The one big reason why it makes sense that Sam Leavitt is going to LSU instead of Tennessee

Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt reportedly committed to the LSU Tigers on Monday.

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt, one of the Tennessee Vols’ top portal targets, has reportedly committed to the LSU Tigers.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the news on Monday morning.

Leavitt took visits last week to LSU, Tennessee, and Miami.

Tennessee is still in the market for a transfer quarterback.

The one big reason why it makes sense that Sam Leavitt is going to LSU instead of Tennessee

Leavitt would’ve been a great fit for Tennessee’s offense. He’s a dynamic playmaker with an accurate arm that could’ve taken the Vols’ offense to the next level.

But Leavitt is coming off a Lisfranc injury that’s expected to keep him out of spring practice. While the expectation is that he’ll be good to go for the 2026 season, it’s unclear if he’ll have any lingering effects from the foot injury.

“Here’s what I can factually say, is that every school that’s bringing him in on a visit is doing a medical evaluation to understand what his timeline looks like for recovery,” said On3’s Pete Nakos last week. “He obviously missed the back half of the season. I can factually say this — it is unclear if he’d be available for spring football.”

Leavitt had all the leverage as he was in decision mode this weekend. With three programs pursuing him, and transfer quarterback options dwindling, the Arizona State transfer could essentially name his price (within reason).

Tennessee, as noted by On3’s Chris Low on Sunday, was likely unwilling to get into a bidding war for Leavitt.

The Vols are already paying true freshman George MacIntyre and incoming five-star signee Faizon Brandon significant money. It would’ve been tough to justify sinking another $5 million into that room, specifically for a quarterback who has an injury concern.

Ultimately, I believe the injury was the biggest reason Tennessee didn’t go “all in” on Leavitt. The unknown of how Leavitt will return from the injury was almost certainly too much of a risk for the Vols to take, especially after the program paid cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson top dollar to play a combined 19 snaps in 2025.

McCoy suffered a torn ACL before the season, and Gibson suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of the year.

There’s also the impact that paying Leavitt that kind of money could’ve had on Tennessee’s current quarterback room (maybe it would’ve had no impact, but you just never know these days).

LSU, on the other hand, could afford to take the gamble. The Tigers don’t have an established quarterback room yet under new head coach Lane Kiffin. Additionally, LSU landed Elon transfer quarterback Landen Clark on Sunday, which gives the Tigers a solid (and likely affordable) backup option in case Leavitt suffers a setback.

Leavitt to LSU just made more sense all around. He would’ve been a huge get for the Volunteers, but it simply didn’t work out.

Update:

The Vols apparently haven’t given up yet on landing Leavitt.

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