Lane Kiffin hopes he has found LSU's next Jayden Daniels in Sam Leavitt

Sam Leavitt. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

HC Lane Kiffin hopes he has found LSU's next Jayden Daniels in Arizona State transfer QB Sam Leavitt

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 12, 2026 3:29 PM ET

Once again, the LSU Tigers are banking on another former Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback turning into a Heisman Trophy winner.

Per On3's Pete Nakos and Hayes Fawcett, former Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt committed to LSU Monday after visits with the Kentucky Wildcats, Tennessee Volunteers and Miami Hurricanes. He's set to replace Garrett Nussmeier as the team's starting QB next season.

The last time a QB transferred from LSU to Arizona State, it more than worked out. After the 2021 season, Jayden Daniels flocked from Tempe to Baton Rouge. He subsequently won the 2023 Heisman, and the Washington Commanders selected him with pick No. 2 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Will Leavitt have similar success?

Will Sam Leavitt be LSU's next Jayden Daniels?

Leavitt already has a better résumé than Daniels did at this point in his career. During the 2024 season, he led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 title and their first College Football Playoff appearance. Arizona State lost to the Texas Longhorns, 39-31, in a double overtime thriller in the CFP quarterfinal at the Peach Bowl.

BREAKING: Arizona State transfer QB Sam Leavitt has committed to LSU, @PeteNakos and @Hayesfawcett3 reporthttps://t.co/U31NaOwnr0 pic.twitter.com/1tnilf3O5W
— On3 (@On3sports) January 12, 2026

Leavitt regressed this season due in part to an injury. He underwent season-ending surgery on his right foot in October 2025. The QB tossed 10 touchdown passes and three interceptions in seven games after throwing 24 and six in 13 games in 2024.

Despite that, Leavitt may be in a position to take off as Daniels did under new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin. The offensive-minded coach helped former Ole Miss Rebels QB Jaxson Dart become a prospect worthy of a first-round pick. The New York Giants took the passer with pick No. 25 in the 2025 NFL Draft after he set Ole Miss' record for career passing yards (10,617). Leavitt has the tools to generate similar numbers in Kiffin's system.

"His natural instincts as a passer and playmaker really stand out on tape," The Ringer's Todd McShay wrote of Leavitt in a preseason scouting report. "While he doesn't have Josh Allen's arm or Lamar Jackson's mobility, the ball jumps off Leavitt's hand, and he will kill you with his feet if you don't respect his running ability."

If Kiffin can optimize Leavitt's skills, that may not make him "Daniels 2.0," but it could make him one of the better QBs in the SEC. LSU is counting on him becoming one after it went 7-6 in 2025.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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