Event
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for Saturday's rivalry match against Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi. The exact nature of his injury remains unclear, with coach Lane Kiffin not addressing it publicly. The SEC's availability report policy defines doubtful as a 25% chance to play and prohibits gamesmanship intended to hide a player's status. Penalties for inaccurate reports range from $25,000 to $100,000. If Leavitt does not play, LSU may use freshman Husan Longstreet or sophomore Landen Clark.
2 published stories · sam-leavitt · source reliability 33%
The SEC’s strict availability protocols are under the microscope after LSU moved its star quarterback from doubtful to questionable, raising questions about the sincerity of the initial report.
Background
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt, widely regarded as the top transfer quarterback from the previous offseason, has had his availability status upgraded from doubtful to questionable for Saturday’s rivalry match against Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi. Coach Lane Kiffin has not publicly disclosed the specific nature of the injury. The SEC’s availability report policy defines a "doubtful" designation as a 25% chance to play and prohibits gamesmanship intended to hide a player's status, with penalties for inaccurate reports ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. If Leavitt does not play, LSU may rely on freshman Husan Longstreet or sophomore Landen Clark.
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt, widely regarded as the top transfer quarterback from the previous offseason, has had his availability status upgraded from doubtful to questionable for Saturday’s rivalry match against Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi. Coach Lane Kiffin has not publicl
Fact cards
Key entities: Sam Leavitt, LSU, Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin, SEC, Greg Sankey, Husan Longstreet, Landen Clark.
What is the difference between "doubtful" and "questionable" in the SEC? The SEC defines "doubtful" as a 25% chance to play due to significant concerns, while "questionable" generally indicates a higher likelihood of participation. What are the penalties for inaccurate availabili
ESPN | https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49968774/sam-leavitt-goes-doubtful-questionable-lsu | published 2026-09-18T01:39:32.000Z | primary source | ESPN | https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49961530/lsu-qb-sam-leavitt-surprise-doubtful-ahead-ole-miss
2026-09-03: A Louisiana federal judge grants a preliminary injunction allowing pro athletes Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to pursue a fifth year of eligibility at LSU. 2026-09-05: LSU submits its official roster for the Clemson match, omitting Wright and Harris. 2026-09-15:
Timeline
A Louisiana federal judge grants a preliminary injunction allowing pro athletes Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to pursue a fifth year of eligibility at LSU.
LSU submits its official roster for the Clemson match, omitting Wright and Harris.
Sam Leavitt is listed as doubtful for the upcoming Ole Miss game (Wednesday night).
Leavitt is upgraded to questionable; starting linebacker TJ Dottery is also listed as questionable.
The SEC is scheduled to release two further availability reports: one on Friday night and another 90 minutes before kickoff.
FAQ
The SEC defines "doubtful" as a 25% chance to play due to significant concerns, while "questionable" generally indicates a higher likelihood of participation.
Penalties range from $25,000 to $100,000 and can include accountability measures for head coaches.
LSU may use freshman Husan Longstreet or sophomore Landen Clark.
The SEC will release a final availability report 90 minutes before kickoff.
LSU has not disclosed its nature or severity.
He is listed as doubtful, meaning he is considered unlikely to play.
Husan Longstreet and Landen Clark are LSU’s primary quarterback backups.
Linebacker TJ Dottery is listed as questionable.