The LSU Tigers are going to put forth their best crop of talent in years, and it could lead to some very early representation in the 2027 NFL draft.
The LSU Tigers have still been able to develop first-round NFL talent over the last few years, but could Lane Kiffin bring their next first overall pick?
With the college football season starting up and pro fans wondering who they need to keep an eye on this year, ESPN's Jordan Reid put together a list of everyone who could potentially be the first pick in next year's draft.
The obvious picks are guys like Dante Moore and Arch Manning, but two Tigers players appeared further down the list in the "long shot" section: quarterback Sam Leavitt and left tackle Jordan Seaton. Both make sense as options.
For Leavitt, any quarterback who is leading a contender has the chance to work their way to the top. All eyes are going to be on LSU this season, and if Leavitt can put up big numbers in the Kiffin offense, his name will at least be in the conversation.
Kiffin, for example, was able to pluck Trinidad Chambliss out of Division II, bring him over to the Ole Miss Rebels and help him put up 3,937 yards with 22 touchdowns to three interceptions. If Leavitt is able to have a season like that, he won't last outside of the Top-10.
Leavitt has had NFL draft hopes long before he signed with the Tigers. There were some who thought he would declare early after the hype following his 2024 season with the Arizona State Sun Devils. He wasn't league-ready yet, though, so he stuck around. Last year was brutal with fewer weapons around him, injury troubles and more, so it certainly would not have made sense to declare then.
Now he'll come to Kiffin with hopes of turning around is NFL draft stock and moving it in the opposite direction. He has a good enough arm and plus athleticism, but he needs to show consistency, accuracy and the ability to run an offense this year.
As for Seaton, he becomes a much more likely option if the team that ends up with the top pick already has a quarterback. The Las Vegas Raiders are an example. He would need to put forth an incredible year, as he's not on track to be considered, but it's not hard to imagine a scenario where he rises there.
Seaton has been an incredible athlete since high school, when he was one of the top recruits in the nation. If he can continue to develop that athleticism into solid offensive line play, then LSU will be better and, in turn, his odds will go up.
While neither player will likely actually end up being the first pick, it's good to see that the talent is at least there on the roster.
