Tennessee football has a dilemma on who will play quarterback next season. With only two young options available, true freshman Faizon Brandon and redshirt-freshman George MacIntyre, the Vols have looked at dipping into the portal for their 2026 signal caller.
The Vols have missed out on their top target with Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt committing to LSU Monday morning, On3’s Hayes Fawcett first reported. He is not just the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the portal, according to 247, but the top player regardless of position.
Leavitt visited Tennessee from the evening of Jan. 7 until the morning of Jan. 9. Beforehand, he also got looks at Kentucky and LSU. The top-rated transfer quarterback visited Miami following his visit to Tennessee but ultimately decided on Lane Kiffin and the Tigers.
Leavitt just finished up his redshirt sophomore season with the Sun Devils, but it came to a rocky close. Before the season concluded, there were reports that he intended to transfer out following the season. Ultimately, he played in only seven games and none after a loss to Houston on Oct. 25 after suffering an injury.
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However, in 2024, Leavitt put together one of the greatest seasons in program history. Alongside running back Cam Skattebo, the pair led Arizona State to the College Football Playoffs. In 13 games, he threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions.
He finished that 2024 season as the school record holder for total offense by a freshman (3,328 yards), second in passing yards by a freshman (2,885) and eighth in total yards of offense in a single season (3,328).
Leavitt began his career at Michigan State in 2023 as a true freshman before transferring to ASU. He was considered a four-star prospect by On3 and 247Sports and a three-star prospect by ESPN and Rivals out of high school.
So, how big is the commitment of Leavitt? On3 talking head J.D. Pickell gave his thoughts on Thursday, when things were starting to heat up between Leavitt and Tennessee.
“I think Sam Leavitt is definitively top three in that conference,” Pickell said. “And, y’all, I don’t think you’re that crazy if you like the Coke/Pepsi taste test the best with Sam Leavitt and think he’s the best quarterback in the SEC next year. I don’t think that’s nuts.”
Leavitt and LSU will travel to Neyland Stadium on Nov. 21 for the penultimate game of the 2026 regular season.
