Sam Leavitt stepped onto the field at LSU’s women’s football clinic last week, marking his first public appearance since completing the move that has kept the college football world abuzz.
The quarterback, who spent two seasons with the Arizona State Sun Devils before entering the transfer portal, told reporters that the decision to leave a comfortable situation in Tempe was driven by a hunger for a different kind of challenge.
A New Chapter in Baton Rouge
He explained that a Lisfranc injury sustained during the 2025 season with Arizona State forced him to miss most of LSU’s spring practice in March and April, but surgery and rehabilitation have left him fully cleared for the summer workout program.
Coach Lane Kiffin, who has been overseeing player‑led drills, voiced confidence in Leavitt’s health and highlighted the quarterback’s emerging leadership role among the Tigers.
Leavitt’s résumé at Arizona State reads impressive: 4,513 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and a completion rate above 60% over two seasons, complemented by 749 rushing yards and ten scores that caught the eye of LSU’s staff.
Tight end Trey'Dez Green praised the newcomer’s competitiveness, noting that Leavitt’s daily communication with teammates has already begun to shape the locker‑room dynamic.
Whit Weeks and Ty Benefield, fellow teammates, echoed Green’s sentiment, emphasizing how the quarterback’s work ethic and football IQ are accelerating his integration into the program.
Describing LSU’s practice environment, Leavitt pointed to the facility’s state‑of‑the‑art resources and a coaching staff that treats every drill with professional rigor, a culture he says is unlike anything he experienced in Arizona.
He also credited teammates like Whit Weeks and Ty Benefield for helping him find his footing, while acknowledging that the move was about finding the best version of himself in a new competitive setting.