​My thoughts about next year, before the season starts, feel a bit wild, but LSU is already looking ahead to 2029. Planning far in advance is a common strategy for college football programs that want to maintain consistency and compete for championships year after year. In today’s college football landscape, with recruits decommitting, players transferring unexpectedly, or transfer twists altering plans, having multiple contingency paths can pay off in a big way.
LSU gave this approach a real try last season. The quarterbacks on the roster capable of stepping in once Garrett Nussmier moved on didn’t provide the clear answer the program needed. That reality pushed the Tigers to explore the transfer portal, where they landed Sam Leavitt. And honestly, that outcome isn’t bad at all. Leavitt is projected to be the starter in Week 1, and there’s real hope that he can guide LSU to a strong first season under Lane Kiffin. Still, Leavitt is eyeing the NFL after this year, so the question of succession becomes pressing sooner rather than later.
Looking ahead to 2026 is exciting, but 2027 isn’t that far off. So, who could follow Leavitt when his time with LSU comes to an end? Fortunately, Leavitt wasn’t LSU’s only quarterback target in the portal. The Tigers also added redshirt freshman Huson Longstreet from USC. When news broke that Longstreet would be leaving USC, it stirred some frustration among fans, which is a good sign for LSU that the recruitment is taking shape. Longstreet arrived as a five-star quarterback from California, and he flashed impressive ability when given a chance to play last season.
It’s likely that Longstreet’s move to LSU was influenced by Lane Kiffin’s presence and the likelihood that Leavitt would depart after just one year. That combination creates an ideal scenario: Longstreet can sit, learn, and then step into a leading role after a season, potentially becoming the school’s starter down the line. The fit feels almost tailor-made for LSU’s long-term plans, giving the program depth and a clear path to continuity at the most critical position on the field.