After an underwhelming 2025 season that saw the Brian Kelly era come to an end, Tiger fans have a lot to be excited about for Lane Kiffin's first season in Baton Rouge. Kown as an offensive mastermind, Kiffin's teams know how to light up the scoreboard. That is something LSU fans are hungry to see in 2026 after the Tigers finished 14th in the SEC scoring just 22.8 points per game this past season.
LSU earning high praise in way-too-early top 25 rankings for 2026
When Michael Van Buren and Colin Hurley entered the transfer portal earlier this month, LSU was left with zero scholarship quarterbacks on the 2026 roster. Kiffin has brought in a trio of quarterbacks via the portal, and he knocked it out of the park.
LSU's QB room is among the best in the country
LSU's quarterback room now consists of Sam Leavitt, Husan Longstreet, and Landen Clark. As Matt Moscona of LouisianaSports.net points out, those 3 playmakers give LSU arguably the best QB room in the country.
Furthermore, while Leavitt will be QB1, having Longstreet and Clark in the mix gives LSU plenty of stability at the quarterback position heading into 2026.
🏈 Lane Kiffin did exactly what he said he was going to do - bring in the best talent out of the portal
— Parish Construction and Roofing (@ParishBuilt) January 14, 2026
👑 LSU has secured three quarterbacks in this transfer portal class. What more could you ask for??#LSUFootball #transferportal #parishbuilthttps://t.co/DeXswdCQwo pic.twitter.com/OWWkN4ltNY
Sam Leavitt
Kiffin's biggest portal win comes in the form of former Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt. Leavitt was arguably the best player available in the portal, and after a roller coaster of a recruitment process, Kiffin got his man.
Leavitt led Arizona State to a Big 12 title and an appearance in the College Football Playoff in 2024, and has racked up over 5,400 total yards and 46 total touchdowns in his collegiate career. With 2 years of eligibility remaining, Leavitt gives the Tiger offense plenty of potential for Kiffin's first season at LSU.
The new Tiger gunslinger is already among the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy next season. With odds of +1300, Leavitt is tied for the 5th-best odds to win the 2026 Heisman Trophy on FanDuel Sportsbook.
Husan Longstreet
Kiffin made another splash at the QB position by landing USC QB Husan Longstreet. Longstreet is a former 5-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 4 quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class by 247Sports. He saw limited playing time this past season as Jayden Maiava's backup, and has 4 years of eligibility remaining. Thus, he could be LSU's quarterback of the future.
Additionally, Longstreet makes for a solid backup option for LSU in 2026. Leavitt has a bit of an injury concern after suffering a season-ending foot injury against Houston on October 25. Having a former 5-star like Longsreet as the next man up could prove to be very beneficial for Kiffin and the Tigers in the fall.
Landen Clark
The first quarterback to commit to LSU through the portal was Landen Clark, who comes to Baton Rouge from Elon. Clark was the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year and an FCS All-American this past season as a redshirt freshman with Elon. The dual threat playmaker totaled 2,321 yards and 18 touchdowns with 8 interceptions through the air, while also adding 614 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground this past season.
LSU beat out the Michigan Wolverines in Clark's portal recruitment, and his potential has Tiger fans fired up. Kiffin knocked it out of the park with Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss this past season, bringing him to Oxford via Division II Ferris State. LSU fans are hoping he struck gold again with bringing Clark to LSU via the FCS ranks.