Being the lsu football backup quarterback is basically the most stressful "wait-and-see" job in the South. One minute you're holding a clipboard, and the next, 102,000 people in Death Valley are screaming because the season depends on your right arm. Honestly, it’s a weird spot to be in. Just look at the turnover lately.
With Lane Kiffin taking over the reigns in Baton Rouge, the depth chart looks like it went through a blender. If you haven't been keeping up with the transfer portal chaos of January 2026, you've missed a lot. The room is totally different than it was even two months ago.
The New Hierarchy in Death Valley
Right now, the conversation starts and ends with Sam Leavitt. After Garrett Nussmeier exhausted his eligibility and headed for the 2026 NFL Draft, Kiffin had to move fast. Leavitt, the former Arizona State starter, is the presumed guy. But the real drama? It’s the battle for that number two spot.
You’ve got Husan Longstreet coming in from USC. He was a five-star recruit who didn't want to sit behind Jayden Maiava anymore. Then there is Landen Clark, a dual-threat monster from Elon who was the CAA Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year. It’s a crowded room. Kiffin doesn't just want a backup; he wants a "1B" starter.
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LSU Football Backup Quarterback: Why the Portal Changed Everything
In the old days, a backup was a guy you recruited out of high school who sat for three years. Those days are dead. Basically, if a guy isn't starting by year two, he’s looking for the exit. We saw it with Colin Hurley, who just committed to Michigan. We saw it with Michael Van Buren, who headed to South Florida.
LSU basically lost its entire scholarship room to graduation and the portal. That’s why the lsu football backup quarterback position is so vital right now. If Leavitt’s foot injury—the one that ended his 2025 season at ASU—flares up again, Kiffin needs someone who can run his high-octane system without a drop-off.
Longstreet is the name most fans are circling. He’s got that "it" factor. In his limited time at USC, he was efficient, going 13-of-15. Plus, he can run. In the modern SEC, you need a guy who can escape a collapsing pocket when a Georgia or Bama defensive end is barreling down.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Bench
People think the backup is just the "next guy up." It’s more complex. At LSU, the backup has to be a mental twin to the starter. Kiffin’s offense is notorious for its pace. You can't be out there second-guessing the read.
- Sam Leavitt: The veteran leader (if you can call a redshirt sophomore a veteran).
- Husan Longstreet: The high-upside "backup" who might be the starter by October if things go sideways.
- Landen Clark: The wildcard. You don't put up 2,231 yards and 18 touchdowns at Elon without having some serious game.
There’s also Emile Picarella, who has been sticking around and knows the building. But let's be real: Kiffin brought in the portal guys to play.
The Stakes for 2026
LSU finished 7-6 last year. That doesn't fly in Baton Rouge. Brian Kelly is gone, and the Kiffin era is built on explosive plays. If the lsu football backup quarterback isn't ready to push the ball downfield, the whole season could stall.
Keep an eye on spring practice. That’s when we’ll see if Longstreet can actually challenge Leavitt or if he’s content being the insurance policy for a year. Kiffin has a history of playing the hot hand. He’s not married to seniority.
If you're looking for actionable ways to track this, don't just look at the stat sheet. Watch the spring game. Look at who is getting the "ones" reps when the pace picks up. If the backup is fumbling the snap or missing the hot read, Kiffin will go back to the portal in the spring window.
The most important thing to watch is Sam Leavitt’s health. He’s coming off surgery. If he isn't 100% by March, the "backup" might actually be the starter for the season opener.
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Next Steps for Tigers Fans:
Check the official LSU spring roster release in March to see the updated weights for Longstreet and Clark; both need to put on "SEC muscle" to survive the hits. Also, monitor the post-spring transfer window (April 15-30), as that is when the "loser" of the QB2 battle is most likely to leave.