Today: Sam Leavitt's near-flip, the top portalers still available, recent commitment roundup, and LSU's QB plans.

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TRANSFER PORTAL

Inside Tennessee's late push for Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt following LSU commitment

Tennessee made a late, aggressive push for Sam Leavitt before ultimately bowing out of the negotiations. And now, Leavitt has officially signed with the LSU Tigers and Lane Kiffin.

Hours after reports surfaced that Leavitt was headed to LSU, sources told On3 that Tennessee was still actively working to land him. As of Monday afternoon, no deal had been formally signed, and Tennessee remained in regular contact with Leavitt's camp. The Volunteers were never informed that a commitment to LSU was imminent and continued negotiating into the final stages of the process, preparing one last offer before stepping away.

That late surge mattered. Sources indicated that Leavitt's price climbed into the $4 to $5 million range as Tennessee, LSU, and Miami jockeyed for position. Miami was informed Monday morning that Leavitt would not be transferring to Coral Gables, narrowing the race to LSU and Tennessee and further intensifying the negotiations.

With few proven starters left in the portal, leverage tilted heavily toward Leavitt's side. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel never backed off, even as momentum shifted toward LSU. Kiffin, meanwhile, made a decisive move late in the process, flying to Knoxville on Friday to meet face to face with Leavitt following his Tennessee visit, just ahead of a scheduled stop at Miami.

Leavitt left Miami on Sunday morning without committing and returned to Arizona to deliberate with his representatives. For Kiffin, landing the former Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback solves a pressing need as he continues to search for a long-term starter. Tennessee's urgency was driven by its own uncertainty at the position, as Joey Aguilar's eligibility for 2026 remains unresolved amid ongoing legal challenges tied to junior college eligibility rules.

On the field, Leavitt's résumé explains the frenzy. The Big 12 preseason Offensive Player of the Year has thrown for 4,652 career yards with 46 total touchdowns against 11 interceptions. He led Arizona State to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth in 2024 after transferring from Michigan State. Though he missed the back half of the 2025 season with an injury, demand never waned.

In the end, Tennessee's last-minute push helped reshape the market before LSU closed the deal.

Read the full breakdown from Pete Nakos.

TRANSFER PORTAL

The top players still available in the transfer portal

DeAndre Moore, Justice Haynes, Damon Wilson, Husan Longstreet

Several notable transfers have already found their next home, but there is no shortage of talent still available in the Transfer Portal. More players are expected to enter before the portal closes on Jan. 16. Players still competing in the College Football Playoff will also receive additional time to make decisions, extending the cycle even further.

The portal's impact continues to be felt at the highest level, with players like Miami QB Carson Beck underscoring its national importance. With plenty of movement still ahead, here's a look at some of the top remaining available players, according to On3's 2026 Transfer Portal Player Rankings.

1. OL Jordan Seaton, Colorado

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 4

The former Colorado OL immediately becomes one of the most highly sought-after players to enter the portal to date. Sources expect that Seaton will command one of the top financial packages of the 2025 portal cycle. "He deserves a blank check," one industry source told On3 of Jordan Seaton's market. A handful of teams have already entered the mix for the top OL in the portal, according to Pete Nakos.

2. EDGE Damon Wilson, Missouri

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 5

Any team would welcome Wilson on its defensive front. The All-SEC Second-Team selection totaled 23 tackles, nine sacks, two pass deflections, and an interception this season. Wilson has taken a measured approach to his recruitment and is expected to visit LSU this weekend. Nakos has the latest schools to watch for the Mizzou star.

3. DL Mandrell Desir, Florida State

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 15

Desir appeared in all 12 games for Florida State and started twice, recording 30 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble. His production earned him True Freshman All-American honors and a runner-up finish for ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

4. QB Husan Longstreet, USC

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 18

A former five-star prospect and the No. 4 quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class, Longstreet saw limited action with the Trojans. He completed 13 of 15 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, while adding 76 rushing yards and two scores on 11 carries.

5. EDGE Wendell Gregory, Oklahoma State

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 24

Gregory posted 27 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble this season. With Oklahoma State entering a new era, he has explored multiple options, including visits to Wisconsin, Texas, and Kansas State.

6. RB Justice Haynes, Michigan

On3 Industry Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 27

Haynes surprised many when he entered the portal after rushing for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also added 13 receptions for 50 yards, making him one of the most productive offensive players still available.

See all top 25 players still on the market.

TRANSFER PORTAL

Commitments continue flying in as classes resume

The transfer portal continues to reshape rosters across college football, and several high-impact decisions came off the board in recent days. From elite defensive additions in the Big Ten and SEC to quarterback movement in the ACC, these commitments will shape the 2026 season. With classes beginning at schools across the country, here's a look at the latest portal commits and what each move means moving forward.

S Koi Perich: Oregon

The Oregon Ducks landed one of the top defensive players in the portal by securing Perich, the No. 12 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings. A breakout Big Ten performer, Perich totaled 128 tackles, six interceptions, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles across 26 career games. Oregon beat out Texas Tech in a competitive recruitment, continuing head coach Dan Lanning's recent success targeting elite defensive backs from the Big Ten.

QB Beau Pribula: Virginia

Missouri transfer QB Beau Pribula is headed to the Virginia Cavaliers after ranking as the No. 3 uncommitted quarterback in the portal. Pribula threw for 1,941 yards with 11 touchdowns while adding six rushing scores in 2025, though injuries and SEC play slowed his momentum late in the season. He steps in as Virginia's projected QB1 following the NCAA's decision on Chandler Morris, joining a Cavaliers team that finished 10-3 and now owns a top-15 portal class.

EDGE Keon Keeley: Notre Dame

Former Alabama edge rusher Keon Keeley has transferred to Notre Dame, reuniting with a program he was once committed to as a five-star recruit. Keeley played in 19 games over two seasons with the Crimson Tide, recording 19 tackles and three sacks, with most of his production coming in 2025. He'll have two years of eligibility remaining.

DL James Smith: Ohio State

Ohio State added former Alabama defensive lineman James Smith, a three-year contributor with 37 career games of experience. Smith totaled 50 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, setting career highs during the 2025 season. A former five-star prospect, Smith chose the Buckeyes over Missouri and Notre Dame and projects as a high-upside piece for Ryan Day's defensive front.

LB Qua Russaw: Ohio State

Joining Smith in Columbus is Alabama linebacker Qua Russaw, another former five-star recruit from the 2023 class. Russaw broke out in 2024 with 36 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble before injuries limited him to nine games in 2025. If healthy, Ohio State believes Russaw can return to being one of the most disruptive linebackers in the Big Ten.

OL Ty Haywood: Alabama

Michigan transfer offensive lineman Ty Haywood is headed to Alabama after appearing in two games as a true freshman. A four-star recruit and top-50 prospect in the 2025 class, Haywood brings long-term upside to Alabama's offensive line as the Tide continue to reload up front.

WR Shazz Preston: Indiana

Former Tulane wide receiver Shazz Preston has committed to Indiana following a breakout 2025 season. Preston caught 43 passes for 723 yards and four touchdowns after limited early-career action at Alabama. Now, he joins an Indiana program fresh off consecutive College Football Playoff appearances, giving the Hoosiers another explosive option on the perimeter.

See the latest transfer portal moves.

🚨Headlines

NCAA FOOTBALL

The latest on LSU's QB room after adding two from transfer portal

LSU coach Lane Kiffin and the new Tigers staff have quickly gone from zero scholarship quarterbacks on the roster to two.

On Monday, news broke that Kiffin and company closed on On3's No. 1-ranked overall player in the transfer portal in former Arizona State passer Sam Leavitt. LSU beat Miami, Tennessee, and several others for Leavitt.

Leavitt's 2025 season was impacted by injuries, causing him to miss five games due to lingering issues. When healthy, however, he was productive and effective. In seven appearances, Leavitt led Arizona State to a 5–2 record, including wins over then-No. 7 Texas Tech and No. 24 TCU. He completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions, while adding 306 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.

A year earlier, Leavitt helped guide the Sun Devils to their first-ever Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff berth. During the 2024 season, he threw for 2,885 yards with a 24-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio and rushed for 443 yards and five touchdowns.

Leavitt's addition came shortly after LSU landed another dual-threat quarterback in Elon transfer Landen Clark. Clark completed 56 percent of his passes for 2,321 yards and 18 touchdowns with eight interceptions in 2025, while also serving as the team's second-leading rusher with 614 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was sacked 35 times across 12 games and enters Baton Rouge with three years of eligibility remaining.

Kiffin's addition of two stud quarterbacks may sound familiar to fans. Before the 2025 season, Kiffin brought in FCS standout Trinidad Chambliss from Ferris State to back up Austin Simmons at Ole Miss, a plan that changed quickly once Simmons was injured and Chambliss seized the opportunity.

Per Steve Wiltfong, LSU is expected to continue searching for a third QB in the transfer portal to fill a true backup role. As previously reported by On3, the Tigers hosted former five-star USC transfer Husan Longstreet over the weekend. While landing Leavitt and Clark likely makes a Longstreet commitment unlikely, they'd certainly take him if they could.

On the high school recruiting front, LSU holds a commitment from in-state four-star Peyton Houston, who is expected to visit Baton Rouge this weekend and has reiterated his commitment to the Tigers.

Read Steve Wiltfong's full report.

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

I was a four-star recruit who stayed home to play at Rutgers and cracked the starting lineup as a true freshman during one of the biggest seasons in program history.
I led the Big East in receiving yards in back-to-back seasons, earned multiple All-Conference honors, and finished my college career as a Third-Team All-American.
I left school early, became a first-round NFL Draft pick with the Titans, and later posted a 1,000-yard receiving season in the pros.

Answer at the bottom.

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