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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor just may be the biggest surprise in college football this season.
The sophomore phenom is having a breakout season, passing for 832 yards rushing for another 178 yards, and throwing 11 touchdowns — tied for second-most in the country behind only USC’s Jayden Maiavia.
And while normally having one of college football’s breakout players would be reason to celebrate, for Mississippi State it’s caused quite a panic in the NIL era with many wondering if Taylor hits the transfer portal during the summer to collect a big payday from another Power 4 school.
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Mississippi State athletic director Zac Selmon told reporters that the school plans to do what it needs to keep Taylor around.
“I’m never surprised by the craziness that goes on,” Selmon said. “We’re going to be as competitive as we need to be.”
No one involved with the Bulldogs program wants to lose Taylor, including Kansas City Chiefs star defensive tackle and noted Mississippi State alum Chris Jones, who vowed to make a significant donation to the university to help try and keep Taylor from hitting the portal.
“I’m going to donate some (NIL), though, we’ve got to keep this quarterback — we’ve got to keep him around,” Jones told reporters on Thursday. “With all these NIL teams spending $45 million to $50 million a year, the salary cap doesn’t exist in college, so definitely trying to keep our quarterback with us.”
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It’s been speculated that if Taylor keeps up his feverish start, he could command between $5 million and $10 million in NIL money next season. If Jones is willing to pony up the dough, along with some other top donors, there’s a chance Mississippi State could fend off some of the other QB-needy teams that will surely be pressing Taylor to transfer.
Taylor has Mississippi State (3-0) ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press Top 25 Rankings, and he leads the SEC with 1,010 total yards (336.7 yards per game) with 12 total touchdowns.His 832 passing yards ranks second behind only Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss.
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