Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers are set to begin Spring Camp in Baton Rouge in less than 10 days. The program has overhauled its roster with over 50 newcomers.
Kiffin addressed the influx of talent, stating that the sheer volume of additions contributes to the perception of this being an all-time great Transfer Portal Class. He acknowledged the current system encourages player movement, with multiple transfer windows per year.
Quarterback Competition
Sam Leavitt is projected to start at quarterback. Backups include Husan Longstreet and Landen Clark. Leavitt, the No. 1 overall player in the NCAA Transfer Portal, was acquired to be the team's signal-caller for the 2026 season. He did not complete the 2025 season due to a foot injury, but recorded 1,628 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, along with 306 rushing yards and five touchdowns. In 2024, Leavitt threw for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns as Arizona State reached the College Football Playoff.
Leavitt will not be at full strength for Spring Camp, giving Longstreet and Clark opportunities to compete. This could be a deliberate strategy to get the most out of all three quarterbacks, given the ever-present lure of the transfer portal.
Harlem Berry at Running Back
Harlem Berry is projected to start at running back. The depth chart includes Caden Durham, Dilin Jones, Rod Gainey Jr., Raycine Guillory, and Stacy Gage. Berry, the No. 1 running back in the 2025 Recruiting Cycle, re-signed with the Tigers last December. As a true freshman, Berry rushed for 491 yards on 104 carries, scoring two touchdowns. His workload increased significantly later in the season.
Berry is expected to take on a significant role in 2026, supported by Durham and Dilin Jones, who transferred from Wisconsin. The running back room has been almost entirely rebuilt in the off-season.
Spring Camp Focus
With Spring Camp approaching, the primary focus will be integrating the numerous new additions into the team's systems. Competition will be fierce across multiple positions, as Kiffin aims to solidify the depth chart and identify key contributors for the upcoming season.
The Tigers' performance in Spring Camp will offer an early glimpse into how quickly Kiffin can mold this collection of talent into a cohesive and competitive unit. The sheer volume of change presents both opportunity and risk.
