Mississippi State Locks in Kamario Taylor With Record QB Deal

WHO:

Yahoo Sports - Backup quarterbacks Parker Puckett and AJ Swann shared playing time while Taylor was sidelined. Puckett appeared in five games and threw for 390 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions; Swann appeared in two games and threw for 351 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Yahoo Sports - Swann transferred to Mississippi State from Appalachian State after playing there the previous season.

Newsweek - Kamario Taylor is a Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback.

Bleacher Report - Taylor is a sophomore quarterback for Mississippi State.

Bleacher Report - Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby is expected to build a recruiting and transfer-portal class around Taylor.

Bleacher Report - ESPN reporter Pete Thamel reported on Taylor’s planned return; On3.com reporters Pete Nakos and Chris Low reported the contract terms.

Bleacher Report - A source told Thamel, “One of the things we realized is the level of quality players who are intrigued by joining Kamario at Mississippi State.”

WHAT:

Yahoo Sports - Taylor added 147 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

Yahoo Sports - Taylor returned against Oklahoma after missing the LSU game but could not finish; he attempted five passes.

Yahoo Sports - Mississippi State lost five consecutive games and needed two wins to become bowl-eligible.

Newsweek - Taylor is finalizing a record-setting deal to return to Mississippi State after an injury ended his season.

Newsweek - Taylor decided to return to Mississippi State in 2027.

Bleacher Report - Taylor reportedly will not enter the transfer portal and is finalizing a deal to return to Mississippi State in 2027.

Bleacher Report - On3.com reported the deal is worth $7.5 million and could reach $9 million with incentives, which would make Taylor the highest-paid quarterback in college football.

Bleacher Report - Mississippi State and Taylor confirmed he will return.

Bleacher Report - Taylor played in six games, throwing for 1,460 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions; Mississippi State had a 4-5 record and started 4-0 with Taylor leading the Bulldogs.

Bleacher Report - Taylor said, “Over the last few weeks, I've worked every day with our medical staff and done everything possible to be out there with my teammates,” and added, “Missing the rest of this season is hard to accept, but I know God has a plan. … My role will look different these next few weeks, but my commitment to this team won't change. I'll do whatever I can to help my brothers down the stretch.”

WHERE:

Newsweek - Taylor’s return is to Mississippi State.

Bleacher Report - Taylor’s team is the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

WHY:

Yahoo Sports - Taylor’s injury occurred during Mississippi State’s win over Missouri. The injury included turf toe and a right-foot injury requiring surgery.

Newsweek - An injury cut Taylor’s season short.

Bleacher Report - Taylor needed season-ending surgery for a toe injury.

Bleacher Report - Mississippi State pitched Taylor on increased overall investment; Thamel reported the timing of the deal would allow Lebby to build a recruiting and transfer-portal class around him.

HOW:

Yahoo Sports - College football players have begun signing deals promising to return to their programs the following season, a trend the article attributes to changing transfer-portal and eligibility rules.

Yahoo Sports - Taylor joined Oregon State wide receiver Jesse Legree and quarterback Braden Atkinson among players signing such return deals.

Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor will return in 2027 after season-ending toe surgery. The deal is worth $7.5 million, potentially reaching $9 million with incentives. Coach Jeff Lebby can build Mississippi State’s recruiting class around Taylor’s return.