Five big questions for LSU football's offense in Kiffin's first year

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When LSU football hired Lane Kiffin as its new head coach, the Tigers envisioned a high-octane offense. That's how Kiffin made his money at Ole Miss.

Kiffin is one of the top offensive minds in the sport. Kiffin took over Ole Miss in 2025, and during Kiffin's stay in Oxford, the Rebels led all of college football with 37,258 yards of total offense.

Kiffin worked with a couple of different coordinators in that span and scored points through the air and on the ground. Kiffin brought OC Charlie Weis Jr. with him to Baton Rouge, and there shouldn't be many doubts about LSU's ability to score points in 2026.

LSU remodeled the entire offense through the transfer portal, which includes the signing of prized quarterback Sam Leavitt.

LSU is in the midst of spring practice, trying to put it all together. Here are five questions LSU needs to figure out if the Tigers are to reach their goals in year one.

Is Sam Leavitt healthy?

The first order of business for LSU's offense is the health of quarterback Sam Leavitt. His 2025 season was cut short due to foot surgery, and he won't be nearing 100% until after spring practice is done. Landen Clark and Husan Longstreet are running the offense in Leavitt's absence.

LSU's offense will go as Leavitt goes. He's an athletic QB who relies on his feet to get outside the pocket and scramble to pick up first downs. The Kiffin offenses mesh well with this type of QB — Jaxson Dart and Trinidad Chambliss come to mind.

Foot injuries can linger, which has led some to question if Leavitt will be 100% this season. Leavitt will be cleared to play — that's not the question — but how Leavitt looks upon his return is to be determined. If Leavitt is good to go, he should resemble the player he was in 2024. That's what LSU needs to make a run at the College Football Playoff.

Who will start at right tackle?

Weston Davis was LSU's starting right tackle in 2025 and Kiffin and Co. convinced the talented offensive lineman to stick around. But despite Davis' talent, 2025 wasn't kind. Davis was held back by inconsistent pass protection and an inability to execute in the run game. Davis' pass pro got better near the end of the year, but the complete body of work was rough.

Lane Kiffin hired Eric Wolford and James Cregg to lead the offense — the pair will be tasked with getting the most out of guys like Davis.

Davis still has a chance to earn the starting right tackle job in 2026. Left tackle is locked with Jordan Seaton, but the battle for the right side is wide open. Davis is an option, but so is Ole Miss transfer Devin Harper, another four-star recruit. Harper drew rave reviews in practice at Ole Miss in 2025.

Either way, there will be questions about whoever wins the job. LSU doesn't need its right tackle to be elite in 2026, but the Tigers need to find serviceable play from the position.

How do Harlem Berry and Caden Durham split carries?

LSU managed to retain its top two running backs — Harlem Berry and Caden Durham. Durham initially flirted with the portal, but LSU found a way to get him back in Baton Rouge.

Berry and Durham struggled to put up consistent numbers behind a poor offensive line in 2025. The talent is evident with both, yet it doesn't matter if the offensive line can't block. LSU hopes an improved overall offense leads to a more explosive rushing attack in 2026.

Kiffin's 2025 Ole Miss offense was a one-man show at running back. Kewan Lacy was one of the best in the SEC and he got the bulk of the carries. But we've seen his offense take the committee approach before.

This year, will Kiffin look to ride the hot hand or make it a point to get Berry and Durham plenty of touches?

Berry was the more explosive player in 2025, and if he takes another step, he'll be hard to keep off the field. But a healthy Durham is dangerous too, and Durham's all-around skillset makes him a valuable piece.

Does Trey'Dez Green reach superstar status?

Former five-star recruit Trey'Dez Green emerged as one of the SEC's best tight ends in 2025. There weren't many bright spots on LSU's offense, but Green was one. Green's seven touchdowns led all SEC tight ends and his 433 yards ranked No. 5 among the same group.

Green's tools are elite. He stands at 6-foot-7 and can run. He's a unicorn athlete. Not many defenses in the SEC have a defender who can match up with Green. Green is too big for any corner, and he's too fast for any linebacker.

Ole Miss TE Dae'Quan Wright put up big numbers for the Rebels in 2025. If Green can put up similar totals, it will be a good year for the LSU offense.

How many wide receivers emerge as reliable targets?

LSU signed a handful of wide receivers in the transfer portal — the room is completely rebuilt after LSU's WR group struggled to make an impact in 2025.

LSU's offense is expected to take a "spread the ball around" approach, but just how many pass catchers emerge as reliable targets?

Kansas State transfer Jayce Brown is the best of the bunch. Brown averaged 2.93 yards per route run in 2025, which ranked No. 2 among Big 12 wideouts. He's a big play threat, averaging over 17 yards per catch in his career.

Eugene Wilson and Winston Watkins bring SEC experience to the offense, and they likely see a fair share of targets, too.

But I'd expect five or six receivers to earn significant targets. Tre Brown and Jackson Harris are veterans and were productive at their previous stops. It wouldn't be a surprise to see either be one of LSU's top-four pass catchers.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Five big questions for LSU football's offense in Kiffin's first year

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