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By Bryan Colbert Jr.
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Kamario Taylor’s season ended with an injury, but Mississippi State is moving toward a massive investment in his return.
The sophomore quarterback is finalizing a $7.5 million deal to remain with the Bulldogs in 2027, according to On3’s Pete Nakos and Chris Low. The agreement would make Taylor college football’s highest-paid quarterback and could climb to approximately $9 million with incentives.
The deal was still being finalized when the report was published Wednesday.
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Keeping Taylor would give coach Jeff Lebby an established centerpiece for next season’s offense and a recruiting pitch to players considering joining him in Starkville.
Before a foot injury interrupted his sophomore campaign, Taylor helped Mississippi State open 4-0 and climb to No. 16 in the Associated Press poll.
The Bulldogs’ investment follows a season that showed both Taylor’s potential and how difficult replacing him can be. Mississippi State has lost five consecutive games since that unbeaten start, falling to 4-5 while its quarterback’s breakout year gave way to rehabilitation.
Taylor finished with 1,460 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions in six appearances. He completed 104 of 159 attempts, a 65.4 percent completion rate. Those numbers reflect an abbreviated season in which he still produced nearly three touchdown passes per appearance.
His injury problems began during the September victory over Missouri.
Taylor played against Alabama, missed the LSU game and attempted another return against Oklahoma on Oct. 24. That comeback ended early, and Mississippi State announced three days later that he needed season-ending surgery.
The school said Taylor was expected to make a full recovery. Even as he stepped away from playing, the quarterback made clear that his connection to the program had not changed.
“Starkville is home, and I can’t wait to be back playing the game I love,” Taylor said in the statement announcing his injury status.
Taylor also pledged to support his teammates through the remaining games. Lebby’s accompanying statement emphasized the quarterback’s leadership, work ethic and commitment, while expressing confidence that he would return stronger after recovery.
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Now, the reported agreement would turn those expressions of commitment into a substantial financial investment. It would also allow Mississippi State to approach offseason roster building with greater clarity at its most important offensive position.
That does not guarantee the Bulldogs will recreate their early-season success.
Taylor must first get healthy, and Mississippi State must build a team capable of sustaining it. But securing his return would give the program a chance to finish what his injury interrupted.
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