SEC Media Days Spotlight
LSU arrived at SEC Media Days with a familiar mix of optimism and star power, as head coach Lane Kiffin joined rising talents Trey'Dez Green, Whit Weeks and TJ Dottery on the podium.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt, however, was not on the stage; the transfer from Arizona State was instead back in Baton Rouge, throwing passes on the practice field as he works his way back from injury.
A Quarterback’s Comeback
Leavitt’s journey to Louisiana began after a standout stint at Arizona State, where he led the Sun Devils to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024 and earned the label of the top-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal.
His 2025 campaign was cut short by a foot injury, a setback that forced him to miss the latter part of the season and sparked a flurry of medical updates from the coaching staff.
Coach Kiffin took the opportunity to praise Leavitt’s rehab work, noting the quarterback’s relentless dedication to mastering LSU’s playbook and his steady progress in physical therapy.
‘I have great confidence in his health,’ Kiffin said, a statement that resonated through the media room and signaled the coach’s intent to rely on Leavitt as the centerpiece of a revamped offense.
The 2025 season left LSU’s scoring margin wanting, a deficiency that prompted the program to overhaul its offensive scheme and bring in Kiffin, whose reputation for aggressive play‑calling preceded his arrival.
Looking ahead to the 2026 campaign, the expectation is clear: Leavitt must return to full health and quickly assimilate into a system that promises more dynamic passing attacks, giving the Tigers a chance to climb back into the national conversation.