LSU’s rebound rests on Kiffin, Leavitt and portal reinforcements

What Happened

LSU finished 7-6 overall and 3-5 in the SEC last season before replacing Brian Kelly with Lane Kiffin. The Tigers scored 22.8 points per game, ranking 103rd nationally. Kiffin brings an offensive record from Ole Miss, where his teams averaged more than 33 points in each of his six seasons. Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt joins LSU after a foot injury disrupted his 2025 season and required season-ending surgery. LSU also added Hawaii receiver Jackson Harris, Kansas State receiver Jayce Brown and former Colorado left tackle Jordan Seaton through the transfer portal. No official comment is included in the supplied sources.

Why It Matters

• Kiffin’s offense changes the job from repairing a low-scoring unit to getting Leavitt healthy and productive within a new system.
• Harris and Brown combined for 17 receiving touchdowns last season, giving LSU proven scoring production around its new quarterback.
• Seaton gives LSU a high-upside addition up front, but portal offensive-line additions remain uncertain until they handle SEC fronts.

THE PATE STATE READ

THE PATE STATE READ: LSU gets credit for attacking its biggest problem first. A 103rd-ranked scoring offense needed more than a new play sheet, and Kiffin supplied a quarterback, two receivers and a left tackle with real upside. The failure condition is clean: Leavitt’s foot has to hold, and the new pieces have to become a functioning protection and passing game before SEC play exposes the gaps. This moves LSU back into the rebound conversation, not into the championship tier. The first test is whether Leavitt can consistently access those receivers behind a rebuilt front.(Josh has not yet commented.)

What's Next

• LSU’s season opener, with the date not provided in the supplied source cluster.
• The first preseason evaluation of Sam Leavitt’s health and LSU’s rebuilt offensive line.