Lane Kiffin stepped to the microphone following LSU’s August 20 practice and used his latest press conference to provide one of his clearest assessments yet of where the Tigers stand as fall camp winds down. With preparation for the September 5 season opener against Clemson about to take center stage, Kiffin sounded encouraged by the progress LSU has made, but he also made it clear that there is still work to do.

The biggest news was at quarterback. Sam Leavitt appears to be playing his best football since arriving in Baton Rouge. Kiffin also praised a first team defense that continues to set the tone, singled out Princewill Umanmielen as a disruptive force and pointed to defensive tackle Dominick McKinley as one of the players making a move in camp.

There is also one concern Kiffin did not try to hide. LSU needs more dependable depth on the offensive line, an issue that could become especially important against Clemson and throughout an SEC schedule.

Kiffin’s August 20 press conference offered a revealing look at what is going right, what still needs work and which Tigers are beginning to separate themselves as LSU moves out of fall camp and into game preparation.

Sam Leavitt Is Giving Kiffin Reasons to Get Excited

Perhaps the strongest praise of the press conference was reserved for Leavitt.

The Arizona State transfer entered LSU with high expectations but spent much of the spring recovering from a foot injury. By the start of fall camp, he had been cleared for full participation. 

Now Kiffin is seeing the quarterback he expected when LSU brought Leavitt to Baton Rouge.

“Sam has been awesome,” Kiffin said during Thursday’s press conference.

Kiffin specifically pointed to consecutive passes Leavitt made during practice. He described them as “adult throws” and indicated they were the type of difficult passes that separate high level quarterbacks from everyone else.

The improvement goes beyond arm talent. Kiffin discussed Leavitt’s command of the offense, his ability to recognize what the defense is showing and the work being done with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. and quarterbacks coach Dane Stevens.

The difference from spring is particularly important. Leavitt was limited physically then, which made it difficult to develop timing and chemistry in a new offense with a large number of new players.

That is no longer the case.

Kiffin summed up his feelings about Leavitt simply.

“I’m excited to see him play.”

For an LSU team preparing to face Clemson immediately, having its quarterback healthy and playing his best football may be the most important development of camp.

Kiffin Has High Praise for Charlie Weis Jr.

Leavitt was not the only member of LSU’s offense to receive praise.

Kiffin also spoke at length about Weis and the relationship the two have developed over the years.

Kiffin recalled meeting Weis when the future offensive coordinator was extremely young and already demonstrating an unusual ability to absorb and retain information. That relationship eventually became a professional partnership, with Weis working alongside Kiffin at previous stops before following him to LSU.

Kiffin believes Weis deserves considerable credit for the quarterbacks who have developed in their system.

Now Leavitt gets his opportunity.

If LSU’s new quarterback has the type of season Kiffin believes he is capable of producing, Weis will be a major part of the reason.

The Defense Is Still Setting the Pace

The offense is improving, but Kiffin has not changed his overall assessment of the team.

LSU’s first team defense remains ahead.

That has been one of the recurring themes of camp. LSU has considerable experience at linebacker and added a large collection of defensive talent through the transfer portal, including Umanmielen from Ole Miss, Jordan Ross from Tennessee, Malik Blocton from Auburn and Ty Benefield from Boise State. 

One player in particular keeps getting Kiffin’s attention.

Princewill Umanmielen.

Kiffin described the edge rusher as a “dominant force.”

That is a strong description, but Umanmielen arrived with a track record of production. He transferred to LSU after playing at Nebraska and Ole Miss, where he developed into an accomplished SEC pass rusher. 

What Kiffin seems to appreciate most is Umanmielen’s ability to finish plays.

Getting pressure is valuable. Against athletic quarterbacks, however, simply reaching the backfield is not enough. A defender has to prevent the quarterback from escaping and turning a broken play into a first down.

Kiffin said Umanmielen repeatedly showed that finishing ability during Thursday’s practice.

If that carries into the season, LSU may have found the disruptive edge presence it needs.

Dominick McKinley Is Making His Move

Another encouraging development is happening in the middle of LSU’s defensive line.

Dominick McKinley appears to be coming on at the right time.

Kiffin acknowledged that he challenged McKinley following spring practice. Considering his size and natural ability, the coaching staff believed there was another level he needed to reach.

McKinley responded.

Kiffin said the defensive tackle has performed particularly well over roughly the past week and a half and has been working with the first team defense.

That could be significant for a defensive tackle rotation that remains one of the most interesting position battles on the roster.

True freshmen Deuce Geralds and Richard Anderson have generated attention during camp, while Stephiylan Green gives LSU another experienced option after transferring from Clemson. LSU brought Green in as part of its massive offseason roster reconstruction. 

Kiffin indicated that injuries have affected Green’s consistency, but LSU expects more from him as he gets healthier.

Nothing appears completely settled inside.

McKinley is making his case.

Offensive Line Depth Remains a Concern

The most sobering moment of Thursday’s press conference came when Kiffin was asked about the offensive line.

Specifically, the depth behind LSU’s primary group.

Kiffin did not attempt to minimize the problem.

“It’s a concern,” he said.

That does not necessarily mean LSU’s starting offensive line is a major problem. Kiffin’s concern was whether LSU has developed enough dependable players behind the starters.

The Tigers rebuilt the position aggressively during the offseason. Transfer additions included Jordan Seaton from Colorado, Devin Harper from Ole Miss, Sean Thompkins from Baylor, Darrin Strey from Kentucky, William Satterwhite from Tennessee and several others. 

Bringing in talent and developing a reliable two deep are not the same thing.

That is where LSU still has work to do.

Offensive line depth can become especially important once an SEC season begins. Injuries happen. Players need to rotate. A backup can suddenly find himself protecting the quarterback during the most important drive of a game.

LSU does not have the luxury of slowly discovering whether those players are ready.

Clemson comes first.

Bo Bordelon Is Taking Advantage of a Fresh Start

One veteran who appears to have benefited from the coaching change is Bo Bordelon.

Kiffin pointed to Bordelon as an example of what can happen when a new coaching staff arrives without being tied to the previous depth chart.

Everyone gets evaluated again.

A player who may have spent years as a reserve suddenly has another opportunity to prove he belongs on the field.

Bordelon has taken advantage of it.

For younger players buried on the depth chart, his story is a reminder that college football careers rarely develop in a straight line. Coaches change. Systems change. Rosters change.

The players who continue working are the ones positioned to benefit when an opportunity arrives.

Stacy Gage Is Another Name to Watch

Kiffin also singled out running back Stacy Gage as one of the players who has helped himself during camp.

Gage transferred to LSU from UCF as part of a dramatically rebuilt running back room that also added Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones and several other new options. 

Kiffin stressed that the new staff evaluates what players do after arriving rather than allowing recruiting rankings or past reputations to dictate the depth chart.

Gage has apparently earned additional opportunities because of what he has shown on the practice field.

That makes him another player worth monitoring as LSU decides how to distribute touches in a crowded backfield.

Clemson Preparation Is About to Take Over

Fall camp is approaching an important transition.

Beginning next week, LSU’s attention will turn much more heavily toward Clemson.

Kiffin said the Tigers plan to conduct what amounts to a mock game week. The purpose goes beyond installing a game plan.

This is Kiffin’s first season at LSU. His staff is new. More than 50 newcomers joined the roster during the offseason. 

That means LSU has never gone through a complete game week together.

Kiffin wants to rehearse it.

The schedule. The hotel. Saturday morning. The band. The buildup to kickoff.

Those details may seem minor, but coaches try to eliminate as many first time experiences as possible before an actual game begins.

The Clemson game will already bring enough pressure.

Kiffin does not want LSU learning how to function as a team on game day while simultaneously trying to win the opener.

LSU Is Beginning to Take Shape

The overall message from Kiffin’s August 20 press conference was encouraging without pretending LSU is a finished product.

The defense remains ahead.

Umanmielen looks capable of becoming a major problem off the edge. McKinley is making a push inside. The offensive line still needs more trustworthy depth, and several position battles remain unsettled.

But the most important development may be happening at quarterback.

Leavitt is healthy, comfortable and making throws that have his head coach openly excited.

LSU does not need every question answered on August 20.

It needs those answers when Clemson arrives in Tiger Stadium on September 5.

Fall camp is almost over.

Game preparation is about to begin.

And Kiffin’s first LSU team is finally starting to reveal what it might become.

Sources

LSU Football Report, Transcript of Lane Kiffin’s August 20, 2026 Press Conference
https://lsufootballreport.com/2026/08/20/transcript-of-lane-kiffins-aug-20-2026-press-conference/

Geaux247, LSU Football Practice Report, Day 14 of Fall Camp
https://247sports.com/college/lsu/longformarticle/lsu-tigers-football-practice-report-quick-hits-and-takeaways-from-fall-camp-day-14-sam-leavitt-dj-pickett-jordan-seaton-289065846/

Geaux247, LSU 2026 Transfer Portal Tracker
https://247sports.com/college/lsu/longformarticle/lsu-football-transfer-portal-tracker-2026-265512705/

Geaux247, LSU Fall Camp Players to Watch
https://247sports.com/college/lsu/article/lsu-tigers-football-nagys-notes-predicting-five-players-that-will-make-a-statement-during-fall-camp-sam-leavitt-lamar-brown-288437944/