What to know about Landen Clark, LSU football QB behind Sam Leavitt

LSU football's Sam Leavitt sits out practice on Wednesday following an injury. The Tigers have brought in three quarterbacks from the transfer portal over the offseason, with the group led by Leavitt. In addition to Leavitt, Lane Kiffin's LSU team also added Husan Longstreet from USC and Elon transfer Landen Clark for depth and to develop other young quarterbacks in their offensive system. Clark, a Virginia native, was not highly rated coming out of his transfer from an FCS team.

Landen Clark appeared in the first two preseason games for the LSU Tigers in 2026. The sophomore quarterback has amassed 2,946 yards and 29 touchdowns during his collegiate career, earning the 2025 Colonial Athletic Association Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year. Clark started all 12 games for the Phoenix in 2025, leading them to a 6-6 record. Notably, Clark was the first quarterback to commit to Lane Kiffin at LSU football, despite the arrival of Leavitt and Longstreet.

The LSU transfer signed with Kiffin and his staff after impressing them during his visit, confident that he could win the starting quarterback job. Clark has been primarily utilized as the primary backup quarterback, having made 10 pass attempts in two games, completing 7-of-10 for 109 yards. He managed to score a touchdown against Clemson near the end of the game and also ran for a touchdown on seven carries for a 6-yard average during those contests, scoring the last score of the game against Louisiana Tech.