Joel Klatt’s Top 10 Quarterbacks: Sam Leavitt Takes Spot for LSU Tigers
Sam Leavitt entered the college football transfer portal as the top rated quarterback available in the country...actually he might have been the top rated player at any position. Because of that status, Leavitt was recruited all over the country. After taking trips to every corner of the college football world, Leavitt ended up landing with the LSU Tigers, under new Head Coach Lane Kiffin.
The expectation is that Leavitt will immediately elevate the offensive unit, and guide the program back to the College Football Playoffs. Leavitt does come with Playoff experience...he previously led his team into the CFP. Proving he has the experience to handle the pressure of the SEC environment.
Where Did Sam Leavitt Play Before LSU?
Leavitt started his college career at Michigan State in 2023, appearing in just 4 games for the Spartans. He didn't have a lot of game time, but did the most of the plays he received. Including a huge touchdown pass against Nebraska that MSU fans still talk about.
Before entering the transfer portal, Leavitt spent the last two seasons at Arizona State. He led the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoffs in the 2024 season. During his sophomore season, Leavitt racked up 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns...then got injured after 7 games. He used his two Arizona State seasons to become one of the most talked about quarterbacks in the country, before making the decision to relocate his collegiate career to Baton Rouge.
Why Joel Klatt Dictates The College Football Conversation
Joel Klatt is one of the most respected names in the world of college football reporting and analysis. He was a phenomenal athlete himself, being drafted in the 2000 MLB Draft by the San Deigo Padres out of high school. He played a few seasons of minor league baseball before deciding that he had a better chance of going pro in football. He left spring training and walked on at Colorado.
Klatt was so dedicated as a player, he spent his first season on the punt return team. He was a walk on quarterback, and was willing to play on the punt return team as a true freshman.
By his second year at Colorado, Klatt had taken over the starting QB job. He threw for over 2,300 yards in each of the season he was the starter, accounting for 49 touchdowns over that stretch.
Now that we know Klatt has walked the walk, lets talk about what he does now. He operates as a premier analyst in college football broadcasting today for Fox Sports. His evaluations carry influence across the sports media landscape...often establishing the narrative for the upcoming season before a single game is played.
His annual Top 10 Quarterback List ranks the best talent taking the field across the nation, based on skill set and system projection. Earning a spot on this specific ranking signifies that a player is expected to produce strong numbers against top-tier defensive competition.
Sam Leavitt Is One Of Joel Klatt's Top 10 Quarterbacks
Leavitt officially kicked off the ranking at the #10 spot on the list...placing him among the upper echelon of starting quarterbacks heading into the fall. Pretty shocking placement for a transfer quarterback coming into a program that is under a new Head Coach. It signals that national analysts. like Klatt, believe Leavitt has the talent to operate Kiffin's offensive system with precision.
This ranking validates the championship expectations that LSU fans start every season with. Having Leavitt under center shows the Tigers possess a clear path toward securing a College Football Playoff berth, and competing for a National Championship this season.
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