Lane Kiffin, the new head coach of LSU football, had quite a rocky start to his tenure in Baton Rouge. After being hired in December of 2021, Kiffin found himself in the middle of a messy situation involving Demond Williams, a highly sought-after recruit who had committed to the Tigers under the previous coach. Kiffin’s involvement in the situation almost cost him one of his most prized recruits, Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt. However, a trip to Knoxville changed everything, and now Leavitt is poised to lead the LSU offense in Kiffin’s debut season. And according to one former LSU star, there’s no denying that this pairing will be a game-changer for the Tigers.
The Demond Williams saga had put a strain on the relationship between Kiffin and Leavitt. Williams, a 5-star quarterback from Louisiana, had committed to LSU under former coach Ed Orgeron. However, when Kiffin took over, he made a strong push to flip Williams to Ole Miss, where he had previously served as head coach. This move didn’t sit well with Leavitt, who was being heavily recruited by both LSU and Ole Miss.
Leavitt, a highly coveted prospect, had initially committed to Arizona State before Kiffin’s arrival at LSU. However, when Kiffin expressed interest in bringing him to Baton Rouge, Leavitt was faced with a tough decision. On one hand, he had already committed to Arizona State, but on the other hand, he had the opportunity to play for one of the most prestigious programs in college football under a coach with a proven track record of developing quarterbacks. But with the Williams situation causing tension between him and Kiffin, Leavitt was on the verge of backing out of his commitment to LSU.
That’s when Kiffin made a crucial decision to visit Leavitt in Knoxville, where he was attending a camp. The meeting between the two was a turning point in their relationship. Kiffin’s honesty and sincerity resonated with Leavitt, and he was convinced that LSU was the right place for him. And as they say, the rest is history.
Leavitt’s decision to stick with LSU and play under Kiffin has been met with enthusiasm and excitement by the LSU faithful. And former LSU quarterback, Rohan Davey, believes that this partnership has all the makings of a game-changer for the Tigers. In an interview with EssentiallySports, Davey spoke about the potential of Leavitt and Kiffin working together.
“Sam Leavitt is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country, and Lane Kiffin is a genius when it comes to developing quarterbacks. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with. Leavitt’s arm strength, accuracy, and mobility make him an ideal fit for Kiffin’s offensive system, which has a history of producing top-notch quarterbacks,” said Davey.
Davey’s words carry weight, as he knows a thing or two about success at LSU. He was the starting quarterback for the Tigers when they won the BCS National Championship in 2001. He went on to play in the NFL and is now a part of the LSU football family as an analyst for the LSU Sports Network.
But it’s not just Leavitt’s physical abilities that have Davey excited; it’s his mental makeup as well. “Leavitt has a great work ethic and a winning mentality. He’s a leader on and off the field, and that’s something you can’t teach. He’s going to be a great asset to the LSU football program, and I have no doubt that he’ll make a significant impact in his first season,” added Davey.
Leavitt’s addition to the LSU roster is a significant boost for Kiffin and his staff as they look to build a championship-caliber team. With his commitment, the Tigers now have a talented and experienced quarterback to lead the offense. And with Kiffin’s expertise, there’s no limit to what Leavitt can achieve on the field.
But beyond the X’s and O’s, Leavitt’s decision to join LSU is a testament to the culture that Kiffin is building within the program. His trip to Knoxville to meet with Leavitt shows his dedication to not just bringing in top talent, but also building relationships with his players. And Davey believes that this is the key to success for any coach.
“Relationships are
