Instead of sending the crown jewel of the roster to the media days, LSU will feature other players for the event. Linebackers Whit Weeks and TJ Dottery, along with tight end Trey’Dez Green, will join head coach Lane Kiffin in Tampa, appearing at the media day set for July 23 at the Tampa Marriott Water Street and JW Marriott. The decision to exclude Leavitt from the media day circuit suggests Kiffin believes it is more productive for the quarterback to train away from the spotlight while he continues his rehabilitation and development.
The media days at this time of year are a magnet for attention, and attention often translates into greater market value in college football’s portal-driven landscape. In many cases, teams lean toward showcasing their most highly valued transfer signing at these events to maximize visibility and leverage in NIL discussions. Kiffin’s choice, however, points to a different prioritization: prioritizing gradual ramp-up and recovery over a rapid media cycle.
Leavitt, who earned the 2024 Big 12 Freshman of the Year honor, spent much of the previous season sidelined due to a Lisfranc injury in his right foot. After missing significant spring practice, he has recently returned to summer workouts and shown positive signs in the rehab process. With ongoing talk about his health status, Kiffin appears to be limiting Leavitt’s exposure and workload during this critical stretch, opting for a controlled approach to his preparation.
Even with Leavitt staying away from the media scrum, questions about his readiness for the upcoming season persist. The LSU Tigers will have to navigate a quarterback situation that could be uncertain if Leavitt isn’t fully prepared by kickoff. The absence from Media Days does not erase the need to address how the offense will operate without a fully proven option if the transfer’s recovery faces any delays.
Kiffin has framed Leavitt as more than just a quarterback; he envisions him as an offense leader who can set the pace and rhythm for LSU’s attack. The quarterback’s background includes standout performances at West Linn High School, where he earned the Gatorade Oregon Football Player of the Year, throwing for 3,184 yards and 36 touchdowns in his senior year. He later set an Arizona State program record for total offense by a freshman with 3,328 yards, illustrating the kind of production that attracted Kiffin’s interest and led to his recruitment and roster-building decisions.
In a recent public update, Kiffin highlighted Leavitt’s progress. He described Leavitt as “doing well,” with a “really good arm” and a strong mental approach to preparation. The coach emphasized that Leavitt is still in the process of integrating with the broader program and noted that the upcoming summer and fall camps would be critical for finalizing his development — a process that may influence how the offense adapts around him.
Looking ahead, LSU has prepared contingency plans for the quarterback position. If Leavitt is not fully fit by the start of the season, the team has identified potential players to back him up. Husan Longstreet, a transfer from USC, has emerged as a primary option for backing up Leavitt. Longstreet demonstrated capability with 103 passing yards in limited action last season and has shown potential during the spring practices. Alongside Longstreet, Landen Clark offers another depth option. Clark, who played at Elon University, accumulated 2,321 passing yards last season and has demonstrated resilience and the strength required for college football’s demanding schedule.
Despite the absence from Media Days, the ultimate test for Leavitt will come on the field. The season opener on September 5 against Clemson looms large as the moment that will define how LSU’s offense operates with Leavitt at the helm. For Kiffin, that on-field performance is the critical measure, and his decision to minimize media exposure ahead of the season reflects a strategic focus on readiness and execution over instant visibility.
As the season approaches, LSU fans and analysts will watch closely to see how the quarterback situation evolves. Leavitt’s health, the development of the supporting cast, and the team’s overall offensive cohesion will all factor into how effectively LSU can translate potential into performance. The decision to keep Leavitt away from Media Days does not diminish the significance of his role; it underscores a broader strategy to optimize recovery, preparation, and on-field execution ahead of a demanding SEC schedule.
