One of the biggest transfer portal pieces for Lane Kiffin at LSU was Sam Leavitt. The former Arizona State quarterback went to Baton Rouge looking to take a step forward towards his eventual NFL journey. While the timing of it all wasn't perfect, the Tigers' offense is starting to come together in the midst of spring practices.
Kiffin recently shared his thoughts on what Leavitt brings to the table and how the times have changed with recruiting in college football. One of the biggest adjustments is having a new staff, new players and monumental expectations with a "Playoff or bust" outlook.
Leavitt was the top signal-caller in the portal this past cycle and Kiffin worked hard to get him.
"I just feel nowadays it's a little easier to play quarterback than it used to be years ago, as far as how long you've been there," Kiffin said. "If you look around the country, a lot of people transfer, go play at new places, and look at the previous place we were at. The guy didn't get there until the summer."
Leavitt led Arizona State to a College Football Playoff appearance two years ago, and hopes he can do it again at LSU. After accounting for 46 career touchdowns, this will be the biggest test of his career. The competition level with the SEC is on another level compared to the Big 12. Not to say Leavitt can't adjust to the "big game" scenario for conference matchups, there is a noticeable difference between 50-and-100-thousand seat stadiums.
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"Top to bottom, it's the hardest conference to play in and the hardest stadiums," Kiffin added about the SEC.
LSU football has opted not to hold a traditional spring game this year. Kiffin said previously, "The financial piece of how much you’re investing in [players] now, and how significant injuries are, and looking at the big picture of that, I just feel like it’s not worth it.”
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