Lane Kiffin is returning to Knoxville, but this time with LSU. For Tennessee football’s final 2026 home game, the Tigers head to town in Kiffin’s first year.
With fall camp around the corner, I spoke with Cory Diaz of The Daily Advertiser to get the inside scoop on where LSU is at this summer.
Here’s what he said.
More From RTI: The Dallas Cowboys Watch Film of This Tennessee Football Legend Every Day, Says VFL Princeton Fant
What are the early feelings around the program since Lane Kiffin has taken over? What are the year one expectations?
If you talk with any of the players, returners or new transfers, their expectation is the compete for a College Football Playoff spot right away. “This isn’t a rebuild” has been a phrase throw around by the team. Now, Lane Kiffin may try to tamper those expectations publicly but the feeling around the LSU football program is the roster is good enough to be in the mix for meaningful postseason games in Kiffin’s first year.
What are the expectations for Sam Leavitt in his first year?
Sam Leavitt is a good fit for Kiffin’s offense. As long as he’s 100% healthy, there’s reason to believe that Leavitt will have a solid season in Baton Rouge. Kiffin has an eye for quarterbacks, their style of play and how they would fit into the system.
What does LSU’s offense look like around Leavitt?
That remains to be seen. Leavitt was not healthy during spring practice, coming off the Lisfranc surgery from the injury he suffered at Arizona State last season, so we didn’t get a chance to really see it in action. But in theory, LSU’s offense will be very multiple with Leavitt at quarterback. Kiffin has talked about how he likes Leavitt’s ability to deliver even on plays that have broken down. The expectations is Leavitt will use his legs to extend while the offensive line should be improved which should equate to a far more effective run game. This year likely won’t be the most well-oiled Lane Kiffin offense we’ve seen, but the pieces are in place for it to one of the top offenses in the SEC.
What are the projected strengths and weaknesses of the defense?
With DJ Pickett, PJ Woodland and Tamarcus Cooley back plus throw in the Boise State transfer Ty Benefield into the mix and LSU’s secondary will be the defense’s strength this season. Loads of experience and all guys that looked improved throughout spring practice. There are questions centered around the interior of LSU’s defensive line. There’s not as much depth there in the middle, and it’s likely that young guys like Deuce Geralds and Richard Anderson will be called upon to play a good number of snaps this season.
Do you have an early prediction for the game, or is it still too early to tell? Do you think Kiffin returning to Neyland Stadium again will have an impact?
It’s too early for me to know how the LSU-Tennessee will unfold, especially with not getting a look at Leavitt this spring. I think Tennessee fans have likely moved on from the Kiffin ordeal, especially after seeing how the marriage with Ole Miss ended last year. Vols likely consider themselves lucky in that aspect.
