LSU fans have been eagerly awaiting Saturday night, when the Tigers finally take the field following a wild offseason that started with the hiring of head coach Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.
Those coaching changes also helped bring quarterback Sam Leavitt to Baton Rouge.
Leavitt is preparing for his first game inside Tiger Stadium, an environment unlike anything he experienced during his time at Arizona State.
The Sun Devils averaged about 54,000 fans for home games last season. Nearly twice that number is expected to pack Death Valley when LSU opens its season Saturday night against Clemson.
Leavitt says he plans to take a moment to appreciate the atmosphere before turning his attention to the game.
“I’m going to really embrace the moment for a little bit,” Leavitt said. “Because you are not going to get many opportunities to play in Tiger Stadium on the night of a game day, soit’s going to be special. Playing with these fans and this crowd in this environment, you definitely have to soak it in and embrace the moment and the blessing that God has given you to be in this situation, and then you gotta relock in and focus up.”
Leavitt led Arizona State to an unexpected Big 12 championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff in 2024. He accounted for 3,300 yards and 28 touchdowns that season.
His 2025 season was cut short by a foot injury, and he entered the transfer portal in January. After also considering Kentucky, Tennessee and Miami, Leavitt chose LSU.
Now, he says he's excited about the talent surrounding him and the opportunity to work with Kiffin and his coaching staff.
“I really love the players we got around me, the way my coaches are able to put me in a great spot,” Leavitt said. “I’m just going to continue to learn and grow with them, understanding situational awareness. Playing these games is going to get better and better, understanding what they want of me in certain situations. Hopefully, it’s just going to keep growing and growing.”
Leavitt was also asked Tuesday about the ongoing controversy surrounding LSU's efforts to add football players seeking a fifth year of eligibility through the courts.
He said the issue has not been a distraction inside the locker room.
“Everyone gets five years in college,” Leavitt said.
Kiffin has faced public criticism for pursuing players who were in NFL training camps last month and are now seeking another opportunity to play college football.
But Leavitt said LSU's Leadership Council fully supports the effort.
When asked what he likes most about Kiffin and his coaching staff, Leavitt pointed to their chemistry.
“Everyone knows he’s really forward-thinking, but I think the coolest thing about him and just everybody else upstairs is just the camaraderie from the coaching staff perspective,” he said. “They really do feel like a family. They enjoy spending time with each other, running around on the field, competing and everything, playing pickleball.”
There will be no pickleball Saturday night.
Instead, Leavitt will take the field in front of a packed Tiger Stadium, with LSU fans hoping their new quarterback can help lead the Tigers back into the College Football Playoff picture.
For Leavitt, the moment will be one to embrace — at least briefly — before getting down to business.
