Lane Kiffin is still searching for his QB1 for his first season in Baton Rouge. After former Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby chose Texas Tech over LSU, Kiffin turned his attention to Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt.
Leavitt spent multiple days on campus earlier this week, but left without a deal in place. He then visited Tennessee later in the week, and remains undecided on where he will play college football next season.
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Adding to the drama surrounding LSU's QB search was Washington's Demond Williams announcing his intention to enter the portal earlier this week. Williams was initially linked to LSU, and news of that interest was floating around social media while Leavitt was courtside with Kiffin and Whit Weeks at the LSU men's basketball game on Tuesday night.
But on Thursday, Williams announced that he would be returning to the Huskies. So where does that leave Leavitt's status with Kiffin and the Tigers?
Sam Leavitt still undecided on LSU decision
Matt Moscona of 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge has provided an update on Leavitt's status, and it's not exactly what LSU fans want to hear. According to Moscona, the Leavitt to LSU movement isn't dead yet, but there is a lot of work to do. He adds that Leavitt's visit to LSU this week didn't end in spectacular fashion.
A lot of people asking about Sam Leavitt.
— Matt Moscona (@MattMoscona) January 9, 2026
I’m told that’s not quite dead yet but a lot of work to do with how the visit ended in BR. https://t.co/eIl7WjZXmq
LSU's interest in Williams making the rounds on social media while Leavitt was with Kiffin on Tuesday made for heightened drama that nobody saw coming. Williams had already reached a new deal to return to Washington just 4 days earlier, so his announcement to enter the portal took the college football world by surprise.
Washington officials threatened legal action to enforce Williams' contract for 2026, and now it appears that he will be returning to Seattle. All eyes in Baton Rouge now turn to Leavitt as fans await his decision.
Leavitt is ranked as the No. 2 available quarterback in the portal by Saturday Blitz. He would be a great fit in Kiffin's offensive scheme, but it remains to be seen if it will actually become a reality. Along with visits to LSU and Tennessee, Leavitt also visited Kentucky last week when the portal first opened up.
Tiger fans are waiting with bated breath to see what he decides. Missing out on both Sorsby and Leavitt would sting.