Brian Kelly Raises Concerns About Sam Leavitt's Playing Style, Offers Advice

Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly shared his thoughts on quarterback Sam Leavitt during a recent appearance on College Sports Radio on SiriusXM, offering advice on how the Tigers' signal-caller can improve his game moving forward.

Kelly discussed Leavitt's struggles against Ole Miss, including missed opportunities in the passing game, and said he needs to slow down in the pocket and hit the easy throws.

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"He’s gotta hit these free access throws. They’re profits. Don’t turn down a profit,” Kelly said on College Sports Radio on SiriusXM. “And he turned down too many easy throws that could’ve made things, as you mentioned, for their offense a lot easier. I think you can get better at that. I think you can work that, and I think you can get better in terms of demanding what he does in practice and setting it up accordingly that those are the throws you get in every seven-on-seven and every half line and every time we do reps, I’m gonna give you those and you gotta take them.

“If not, we’re gonna have a problem. And so I believe that that can get better, but that was a big piece in him not being as effective because his feet were a little too fast. He’s gotta slow down in the pocket and trust what they’re calling. And I think if he does that, I think he’s gonna get better and better as the weeks go on.”

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Kelly also raised concerns about the number of hits the Leavitt takes while running the football.

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“What I’m concerned with is the hits that he’s taking,” Kelly said. “I think he exposes himself to violent collisions in the SEC. And if he continues to play a game that physical, they’re gonna play without him one of these weeks. And their schedule is such a bear on the back end. So I’m not saying you can’t run him. I’m saying that he’s gotta be a little bit more concerned with contact as he runs the football. ‘Cause right now, it is reckless abandon when he’s running the football.

“When you get flipped over a couple of times, you gotta kinda bring him over to the side and say, ‘Look, we’re not gonna do very well if you’re not in the game. So let’s try to get down when you can get down.’”

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Through three games this season, Leavitt has completed 57 of 93 passes (61.3%) for 732 yards, three touchdowns, and five interceptions.

He has also rushed for 198 yards and six touchdowns.