Clark was one of the top dual-threat QBs in the FCS in 2025 and received attention from several Power Four schools upon entering the portal. Clark has several years of eligibility remaining as he moves up to FBS.
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Clark has upside and LSU is banking on his developmental potential, but he likely won’t be the starter in 2026. However, Clark is the only scholarship quarterback currently scheduled to be on the roster. The closet was left empty after Michael Van Buren transferred and LSU had to rebuild the room from scratch.
That meant LSU needed to land a player like Clark while also pursuing the best QBs in the portal. With Clark on board, what’s next for LSU head coach Lane Kiffin as he continues to search for a QB?
LSU remains in the race for Sam Leavitt
Sam Leavitt is the highest-ranked quarterback and player in the transfer portal, according to On3’s transfer rankings. Leavitt is a hot commodity right now and almost every major program with a need at QB has reached out. Leavitt visited Kentucky, LSU, Tennessee and Miami.
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LSU was Leavitt’s second stop and when he left Baton Rouge, LSU’s chances seemed slim. When Leavitt was visiting, news broke about LSU’s possible pursuit of Washington quarterback Demond Williams. But a couple of days later, Williams announced that he would remain in Washington. LSU was thought to be out of the Leavitt sweepstakes.
Until last Friday, when Kiffin flew to Knoxville to meet with Leavitt between Leavitt’s visits to Tennessee and Miami. Now, according to reports from On3’s Pete Nakos, LSU is still in play to land the former Arizona State QB.
Leavitt’s decision could come at any time. Kentucky is out of this after signing another QB last week. It’s probably because of LSU, Tennessee and Miami. It’s clear Leavitt is a priority for LSU after Kiffin’s flight to Tennessee. Will it be enough? Who knows.
Leavitt would give LSU the proven difference it has been looking for at QB. Injuries plagued his 2025, but he led Arizona State to the playoffs in 2024. His skills fit Kiffin’s offense and he would raise LSU’s floor in the first year with a new coach.
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LSU is in the mix for USC’s Husan Longstreet
USC quarterback Husan Longstreet entered the transfer portal over the weekend and immediately became one of the highest-ranked transfers on the market.
Longstreet spent one year at USC after signing as a five-star in the class of 2025. He only played in four games, keeping his redshirt. With USC’s starting quarterback returning, Longstreet’s chances of being a starter in 2026 were slim to none, prompting the talented passer to look elsewhere.
That wouldn’t be the case at LSU, where Longstreet would be the heavy favorite to win the starting job.
Despite Longstreet’s five-star rating coming out of high school, there are many unknowns. That’s nothing against Longstreet, but scouting high school quarterbacks is tough and until a guy shows his Power Four level, you just won’t know.
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The good thing is that Longstreet’s ceiling is high and if he works out, LSU has a quality quarterback who has several years of eligibility remaining. That would mean LSU returns a talented signal-caller in 2027 and won’t have to re-enter the QB bidding war.
Leavitt is probably LSU’s preferred option, but if the Tigers miss on Leavitt, Longstreet will likely wear the purple and gold.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: What’s next in the LSU football transfer portal’s quarterback search?