Is This $3.1 Million QB the Secret Weapon College Football Needs? Find Out Why Everyone's Talking!

Staff

1 day ago · Updated 1 day ago

The NCAA transfer portal is nearing the conclusion of its two-week window for college football players seeking new opportunities ahead of the 2026 season. Officially opening on January 2, the portal will close at midnight this Friday, marking a pivotal moment for many athletes. Thousands of players have already entered the portal, demonstrating the shifting landscape of college football where players are seeking better opportunities for playing time and personal growth.

Among the notable entries in this year’s cycle is quarterback Sam Leavitt, a former Arizona State signal-caller, who recently announced his decision to transfer to LSU. Leavitt’s journey has been dynamic; at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he started his college career at Michigan State under coach Mel Tucker in 2023. During that season, he played in four games, completing 15 of 23 pass attempts for 139 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also added 67 rushing yards before Tucker’s mid-season firing prompted Leavitt to seek a new opportunity.

After transferring to Arizona State in the 2024 offseason, Leavitt excelled, throwing for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. His performance not only led the Sun Devils to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance, but also secured him individual accolades as the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team. His total of 3,328 yards marked the most by a freshman in Arizona State’s program history.

However, the 2025 season proved challenging for Leavitt, as an injury limited him to just seven games. Despite this setback, he accumulated 1,628 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions, along with 306 rushing yards and another five touchdowns. Rumors surfaced towards the end of the season suggesting that his camp was exploring options, leading to his entry into the transfer portal.

Upon entering the portal, Leavitt was immediately recognized as one of the top quarterbacks available. According to an anonymous general manager from a Power Four program, Leavitt topped the list of the five best returning quarterbacks in 2026, showcasing his continued reputation and potential in college football.

Asked a P4 GM to give me his top 5 QB’s returning to college football next season.
Here was his list:
1. Sam Leavitt (LSU)
2. Dante Moore (Oregon)
3. Arch Manning (Texas)
4. Brendan Sorsby (Texas Tech)
5. Byrum Brown (Auburn)
Thoughts?

— Cody Bellaire (@CodyBellaire) January 15, 2026

Leavitt’s transfer to LSU positions him as the starting quarterback for the upcoming season, but the competition isn’t over. Coach Lane Kiffin has actively sought additional talent for the quarterback room, adding Husan Longstreet from USC and Landen Clark from Elon. Both players are expected to challenge for the starting job, highlighting the ongoing evolution of team dynamics as players jockey for position.

As the transfer portal closes, Leavitt’s move to LSU is emblematic of a broader trend in college football—a landscape where players are increasingly seeking better opportunities and where schools are reshaping their rosters to compete at the highest levels. The coming weeks will undoubtedly bring more developments as teams finalize their rosters and prepare for the upcoming season, with Leavitt's journey serving as a testament to the challenges and opportunities facing college athletes today.