STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor says he never seriously weighed leaving Starkville, Miss., and he will be back with the Bulldogs for the 2027 season.
Taylor spoke on national television Thursday, a day after making his return public. Because he cannot enter the NFL draft until 2028, his real choices were the transfer portal or a junior year at MSU. He told viewers his mind had been made up all along and that coaches and teammates stood by him while transfer rumors swirled.
The Macon native started hot this fall, guiding State to a 4-0 record. Then, in the Week 4 game with Mizzou, a turf toe injury slowed him. He aggravated it in the Week 7 loss to Oklahoma, and foot surgery on Oct. 28 ended his season.
Without him, the Bulldogs have dropped five straight and sit at 4-5 overall and 2-5 in the SEC. Auburn visits Davis Wade Stadium on Nov. 14, with Tennessee Tech and Ole Miss still left on the schedule.
Taylor said he left something unfinished this year and wants to come back healthy and dominate. His new deal is worth several million dollars for next season.
Coach Jeff Lebby and his staff now turn to building a roster around their quarterback. Recruits can sign on Dec. 2, while the portal for transfers opens on Jan. 4.
For a program that has lost five in a row, keeping its most important player is the biggest roster win of the offseason so far. Taylor grew up rooting for the Bulldogs, and his decision gives the staff a clear centerpiece as it recruits high school prospects and courts players from other schools this winter. Fans in Starkville will now watch how quickly he recovers from surgery and how the coaches rebuild the offense around him before spring practice.
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