Greg McElroy Highlights LSU's Sam Leavitt In His "Quarterback Reset Year" Discussion

During a recent episode of "Always College Football," ESPN's Greg McElroy named several new and returning quarterbacks who will be in a pivotal "reset year" next season.

One of the quarterbacks is new LSU transfer Sam Leavitt.

According to McElroy, Leavitt's style of play in Lane Kiffin's offense should put pressure on opposing defenses, but chemistry and timing will be critical to LSU's success in 2026.

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"Here's why LSU matters in the quarterback reset discussion: In 2026, LSU isn’t trying to replace a starter necessarily. They’re trying to reinstall a completely different offensive identity that can immediately contend for a national title."

"Lane Kiffin's offenses are historically going to be driven by quarterback play, not just in volume, but in the way they can put stress on the opposing defense."

"Sam Leavitt's mobility and creativity... that matters because modern defenses are built to kind of suffocate structure. When the quarterback can extend play and when the entire defensive structure changes because of the quarterback's movement, that becomes a lot more difficult to defend."

"The analytical question for LSU becomes: how quickly can they build timing and chemistry? Because portal quarterbacks can raise ceilings really quickly, but in the early weeks of the season, that’s where the seams to show up from time to time."

"LSU is both really dangerous and also pretty volatile because there might be a bit of a learning curve there. And that’s what makes them the perfect centerpiece of a conversation surrounding a quarterback reset."

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