Husan Longstreet: LSU’s Five Star Quarterback of the Future?

LSU entered the 2026 offseason needing more than a starting quarterback. Lane Kiffin also needed to build a quarterback room capable of giving the Tigers options beyond one season.

The addition of Sam Leavitt gave LSU an experienced quarterback expected to lead the offense in 2026. The addition of Husan Longstreet may prove just as important for what comes next.

Longstreet arrived in Baton Rouge after one season at USC as one of the most talented young quarterbacks in college football. He preserved his redshirt in 2025 and entered LSU with four seasons of eligibility remaining. His combination of arm strength, athletic ability and experience in two quarterback friendly systems gives LSU an intriguing player to develop.

By the end of LSU’s 2026 fall camp, practice reports consistently showed Longstreet working behind Leavitt and receiving most of the second team quarterback repetitions. LSU had not formally named him the backup quarterback, but the practice rotation strongly suggested that Longstreet had moved ahead in the competition for the No. 2 job.

For a player entering only his second college season, that is an encouraging start.

One of California’s Best Quarterbacks

Longstreet grew up in Southern California and developed into one of the nation’s most highly regarded quarterback prospects.

He played his sophomore season at Inglewood High School before transferring to Centennial High School in Corona. At Inglewood in 2022, Longstreet completed 177 of 258 passes for 3,941 yards and 40 touchdowns while leading the program to a 13 and 1 record and an appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 championship game.

He was named the Daily Breeze Player of the Year and Ocean League Offensive Player of the Year.

Longstreet continued producing after transferring to Centennial.

As a junior in 2023, he completed 199 of 298 passes for 3,013 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also rushed for 645 yards and seven scores while helping Centennial finish 9 and 3.

Longstreet earned All Big West Player of the Year honors and was selected to the MaxPreps California All State team.

His senior season was interrupted by injury, but he still completed 109 of 165 passes for 1,641 yards and 19 touchdowns. He added 494 rushing yards and six touchdowns while helping Centennial reach the CIF Southern Section semifinals.

Across his final three high school seasons, Longstreet passed for 8,595 yards and 83 touchdowns.

An Elite National Prospect

Longstreet’s combination of arm talent and mobility made him one of the most heavily recruited quarterbacks in the 2025 class.

His exact ranking varied by recruiting service.

On3 rated Longstreet as the No. 13 overall player in the country and the No. 3 quarterback. On3 also ranked him as the No. 1 player in California.

247Sports ranked him No. 28 nationally and No. 4 among quarterbacks. ESPN listed him as the No. 47 overall player and No. 4 quarterback, while Rivals ranked him No. 88 nationally and No. 8 at the position.

Longstreet also participated in the Elite 11 quarterback competition before his senior season. He finished third overall and earned Day 1 MVP honors.

His recruitment took several turns before he reached college.

Longstreet originally committed to Texas A&M in April 2024. He later changed his commitment to USC in November, choosing to stay close to home and play for Lincoln Riley.

USC was an attractive destination for an elite quarterback. Riley had already developed Heisman Trophy winners at Oklahoma and USC, and Longstreet joined a program known for aggressive quarterback play.

He also graduated from high school early so he could begin his college development as soon as possible.

Getting an Early Start at USC

Longstreet enrolled at USC early enough to practice with the Trojans before their December 2024 Las Vegas Bowl appearance.

That gave him valuable time in Riley’s offense before beginning his first full college season.

He entered 2025 behind veteran starter Jayden Maiava but quickly established himself as the No. 2 quarterback. USC’s official opening depth chart listed Maiava first and Longstreet second.

Longstreet appeared in four games, allowing him to preserve his redshirt.

He completed 13 of 15 passes for 103 yards and one touchdown without throwing an interception. He also rushed 11 times for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

His college debut against Missouri State provided an early glimpse of his potential.

Longstreet completed all nine of his passes for 69 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed eight times for 54 yards and scored twice, including touchdown runs of five and 17 yards.

USC won 73 to 13.

He later completed four of six passes for 34 yards against Georgia Southern and also appeared against Illinois and Notre Dame.

The sample size was small, but Longstreet showed the same qualities that made him a highly regarded recruit. He could throw accurately, create yards with his legs and operate comfortably in space.

Why He Left USC

Longstreet entered the transfer portal after one season at USC despite retaining four seasons of eligibility.

There was no public indication of a major problem with USC. Longstreet spoke positively about the program and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to represent his hometown school.

The bigger issue appeared to be opportunity.

Maiava had established himself as USC’s starter, while Longstreet was talented enough to attract interest from programs looking for a quarterback who could compete immediately and still have several seasons of eligibility remaining.

LSU moved quickly.

Kiffin was rebuilding the Tigers’ quarterback room. Leavitt transferred from Arizona State, Landen Clark arrived from Elon and Longstreet joined them from USC.

LSU officially announced Longstreet’s addition on January 14, 2026.

The move gave Kiffin an experienced potential starter in Leavitt and a former five star prospect behind him who could develop into a future starter.

A Different Kind of Quarterback

LSU lists Longstreet at 6 foot 1 and 200 pounds.

He has a strong right arm, but his running ability may be just as important to how LSU uses him.

Longstreet was not simply a pocket passer in high school who scrambled when plays broke down. His legs were a legitimate part of the offense.

He rushed for 645 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior at Centennial, then added 494 yards and six touchdowns as a senior.

That gave him 1,139 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns during his final two high school seasons.

His running ability continued at USC, where he gained 76 yards on 11 carries in limited action.

Longstreet can keep the football on read option concepts, escape pressure and force defenses to account for the quarterback as a runner.

That skill set fits naturally with Kiffin’s offense.

Kiffin has built productive offenses by forcing defenses to defend every part of the field. A quarterback who can threaten a defense with both his arm and legs adds another layer to that attack.

Spring Practice Gives Longstreet an Opportunity

Longstreet arrived at LSU at an ideal time for his development.

Leavitt spent much of spring practice recovering from a Lisfranc injury and surgery. That created a large number of repetitions for Longstreet and Clark.

The two young quarterbacks split significant work throughout the spring. At times Clark received first team repetitions, while Longstreet worked with the second group. On other days Longstreet received the first opportunities.

The spring gave Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. a chance to evaluate both quarterbacks while installing LSU’s new offense.

There were good moments and difficult ones.

Longstreet struggled during portions of some early practices, including one team period in which he went 0 for 5.

Later in the spring, his improvement became noticeable.

During an April practice, Longstreet completed eight of 10 passes in seven on seven work. He connected with Jayce Brown for a deep touchdown and also found Roman Mothershed for another score.

Other spring practices showed the same combination of arm talent and running ability that made him a top recruit.

There were also mistakes, including interceptions during live work. That is not unusual for a young quarterback learning a new offense while competing against an SEC defense.

The important part was the number of repetitions he received.

Making His Move in Fall Camp

The quarterback picture changed once Leavitt returned at full strength for fall camp.

Leavitt immediately began taking the first team repetitions, while Longstreet and Clark competed behind him.

Practice reports initially showed some inconsistency from Longstreet. As August progressed, however, the separation between the two reserve quarterbacks became more noticeable.

By August 8, practice observers consistently reported the quarterback order as Leavitt first, Longstreet second and Clark third.

On August 14, Longstreet received roughly three times as many reserve repetitions as Clark during the portions of practice open to reporters.

A few days later, Longstreet completed all 10 throws charted during an August 17 media viewing period.

LSU had not officially released a depth chart naming Longstreet the No. 2 quarterback, so it would be premature to call the competition completely settled.

The practice rotation, however, made the direction increasingly clear.

Longstreet appeared to have established himself as the leading candidate to back up Leavitt entering the season.

More Than Just a Backup

The most interesting part of Longstreet’s LSU story may not be what happens in 2026.

It is what could happen afterward.

Longstreet enters the season as a redshirt freshman with four seasons of eligibility remaining. LSU does not have to rush his development, but the Tigers have also given him enough meaningful work to prepare him if he is needed.

That creates an ideal situation.

Longstreet can learn Kiffin’s system without immediately carrying the pressure of being LSU’s starting quarterback. He can watch Leavitt prepare for SEC defenses, work with Kiffin and Weis and continue improving the details of quarterback play.

At the same time, he is talented enough to push for playing time.

Nike included Longstreet among 11 LSU players selected for its Blue Ribbon Elite Football program for 2026. LSU described him as part of a talented quarterback room and a player expected to compete for playing time.

That is a strong position for a young quarterback.

What Longstreet Could Become at LSU

Projecting young quarterbacks is always risky.

Recruiting rankings guarantee nothing. A strong arm guarantees nothing. Impressive practice performances guarantee nothing once SEC defenses begin disguising coverages and bringing pressure.

Longstreet still has plenty to improve.

He needs to become more consistent with his timing, decision making and ball placement. Spring practice showed both the upside and the mistakes expected from a young quarterback.

Fall camp showed progress.

The raw ability is obvious.

Longstreet passed for 8,595 yards in his final three high school seasons, was one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks in his class, preserved his redshirt during a productive first year at USC and has now spent an entire offseason learning Kiffin’s offense.

He also possesses something LSU has not always had in its quarterback room.

Time.

There is no need for Longstreet to become the finished product immediately. LSU can continue developing him while still having him available if something happens to Leavitt.

If that development continues, the Tigers may have found more than a backup quarterback in the transfer portal.

They may have found a future starter.

A Quarterback Worth Watching

Husan Longstreet has not yet thrown a pass for LSU, so predicting how his career in Baton Rouge will unfold would be premature.

What LSU does have is one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the country sitting behind an experienced starter.

Longstreet arrived with elite recruiting credentials, a powerful arm and legitimate running ability. He received a large amount of work during the spring, continued to develop during fall camp and appears to have moved into the second position in LSU’s quarterback rotation.

That makes him important now.

His remaining eligibility makes him even more important for LSU’s future.

Most of the attention in 2026 will naturally be on Sam Leavitt.

But whenever No. 8 enters the game, LSU fans should pay attention.

Husan Longstreet could become the next major chapter in LSU’s quarterback story.