With Garrett Nussmeier out of eligibility and both Michael Van Buren and Colin Hurley deciding to enter the transfer portal, LSU was left without any scholarship quarterbacks on the roster for 2026. But Lane Kiffin, aka The Portal King, revamped the Tiger QB room with three solid additions last month.
Kiffin's portal class is headlined by former Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt, who was ranked as the No. 1 player in the portal in On3's Transfer Portal Player Rankings. Kiffin also brought in former 5-star USC recruit Husan Longstreet as well as FCS All-American Landen Clark. Together, those three QBs give LSU arguably the best QB room in the SEC.
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As strong as LSU's quarterback situation is heading into Year 1 of the Kiffin era, that doesn't mean Kiffin isn't still thinking about the future.
Kiffin has his eyes on Jayden Wade, who is the No. 1 quarterback in the country for the 2028 class. Wade is committed to the Georgia Bulldogs, but Kiffin and the Tigers are looking for a monumental flip.
LSU continuing to push for 5-star QB Jayden Wade despite Georgia commitment
According to Rivals, LSU is "making a push" for the No. 1 overall prospect in the country. Kiffin is known as a quarterback guru, and he continues to push for Wade's services heading into the spring.
Tennessee and LSU are making a push for 2028 No. 1 overall recruit Jayden Wade, @ChadSimmons_ reports👀
— Rivals (@Rivals) February 20, 2026
The QB is committed to Georgia.
Read: https://t.co/W0qgwkXVyb pic.twitter.com/zJ8PsHFnSL
Kiffin extended an offer to Wade on January 26. Along with LSU, the 6'3" 190-pound gunslinger has also received offers from Miami (FL), Auburn, Florida, Texas, Texas A&M, and Tennessee.
Rivals is also reporting that Tennessee is eyeing a potential flip as well. The Tigers and Volunteers appear to be the teams to watch at this point in time, and it will be interesting to see if either squad is able to lure Wade away from Athens.
Wade is originally from California, but currently plays for IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. This past season, he threw for 1,383 yards and 20 touchdowns with just two interceptions as a sophomore in his first season at IMG. He also added 243 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.