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The LSU football team is pursuing multiple quarterbacks in the transfer portal this offseason. Lane Kiffin and Co. hosted one of those potential targets on campus this week.
Sam Leavitt was seen sitting courtside in Baton Rouge during the Tigers’ Tuesday night basketball contest. Drama unfolded during that visit thanks to online tampering claims.
@cfbonfox The top ranked transfer portal QB is taking in a LSU men’s basketball game in Baton Rouge with Lane Kiffin 👀🐯 #cfb #football #lsu #samleavitt #lanekiffin
Leavitt is considered one of the top quarterbacks on the transfer market. He spent the last two seasons at Arizona State, throwing for more than 4,600 yards and leading the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoff.
LSU is a possible landing spot. The Tigers are clearly making a push to land his commitment. He is not the only passer in their crosshairs.
Lane Kiffin also likes Demond Williams.
The signal caller has been linked to the Tigers with reports of a $6 million NIL offer. Whispers of potential tampering are swirling around his recruitment.
Williams has been at Washington for two seasons. As a sophomore, he recorded a 3,000-yard campaign while totaling 31 touchdowns.
He was not expected to be in the transfer portal.
Just last week, it was reported that he’d signed a deal worth $4 million to play for the Huskies next year. A few days later, he wants out.
“I have to do what is best for me and my future,” he wrote in a message to his social media following. “After much thought and prayer, I will be entering the transfer portal.”
The passer was quickly linked to Lane Kiffin after his shocking transfer announcement. It led many to believe he’d been contacted illegally prior to his portal entry.
Making matters all the more awkward, those rumors surfaced with Leavitt sitting right next to the head coach in the basketball arena.
The optics were already poor. They were made worse by Kiffin’s wardrobe choice.
The head coach wore a controversial hat.
“Does that say Demond Williams hit the portal? ” (Sam Leavitt)
“Well it’s been fun kid, it’s time you head out” (Lane Kiffin) pic.twitter.com/AjAPV76uNi
— Brad Tejeda (@TejedaBrad) January 7, 2026
The LSU hat promoted the school’s partnership with Our Lady of the Lake, “a nonprofit, mission-focused Catholic healthcare ministry” that supports the Tigers in both athletics and academics.
Unfortunately, there is a controversial history between the two parties.
In 2019, amid the team’s most recent national championship run, an LSU booster received 33 months in prison for embezzlement.
He pleaded guilty to giving stolen money to the parents of an LSU football player.
Kiffin’s decision to sport the hat came off a bit ironic as rumors of his own alleged illegal recruitment surfaced on Tuesday. The entire situation is messy all around.
Sam Leavitt will continue to weigh his transfer options. He reportedly has a visit lined up with SEC rival Tennessee after his trip to Baton Rouge.
Demond Williams, meanwhile, will attempt to navigate his current situation to break loose of his previously signed NIL contract.
These are crazy times in the world of college football!