Fleck raves about Kamario Taylor, which could spell trouble for the Gophers

Fleck raves about Kamario Taylor, which could spell trouble for the Gophers

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Fleck raves about Kamario Taylor, which could spell trouble for the Gophers

The Gophers host Mississippi State this week in their biggest nonconference game of the season. Second-year Bulldogs QB Kamario Taylor has become a social media star after surpassing 400 yards of total offense and five total touchdowns in their season-opening win over UL Monroe. A star signal caller could spell trouble for Minnesota.

Taylor has made just three starts at the collegiate level, but his talent is obvious. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, he can make any throw on the field, and he’s an elite dual-threat option. He doesn’t have a lot of experience, but you can see why there’s hype around his long-term potential.

Sep 5, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) passes the ball during the second quarter against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

“He’s very, very talented; he’ll be one of the best quarterbacks we’ve ever played, that’s for sure, since I’ve been here,” P.J. Fleck told the media on Monday. “He distributes the ball really well, always keeps the play alive. Yeah, he’s a very, very dangerous college football player that’s for sure.”

Fleck has begun his 10th season at Minnesota, so saying that Taylor will be one of the best quarterbacks they’ve faced is a pretty big statement, and it might not be that far off. Anointing Taylor a star at the point of his career is one thing, but Minnesota hasn’t played too many talented quarterbacks over the last decade.

Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins was the first first-round pick Fleck played in 2018. He completed 33 of 44 passes for 412 yards and three touchdowns in that game, which resulted in a 30-14 Buckeyes’ win.

Oct 13, 2018; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) drops to throw against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Fleck’s Gophers haven’t had much success against elite quarterback talent, but their magical 2019 season featured wins over future fifth-round pick Sean Clifford and Penn State, and Bo Nix at Auburn, before he developed into a first-round pick at Oregon.

Minnesota didn’t face another top-tier quarterback until CJ Stroud and Ohio State came to town in 2021. He completed 13 of 22 passes in that game for 294 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, which resulted in a 45-31 Buckeyes’ win.

There were a few more performances from players like Adrian Martinez, Taulia Tagovailoa, Tommy DeVito and Clifford, but nothing that compares to the talent that Taylor will bring to the field on Saturday afternoon.

The best quarterback Minnesota has faced under Fleck might’ve been Drake Maye at North Carolina in 2023. He completed 29 of his 40 passes in that game for 414 yards and two touchdowns. They also hosted J.J. McCarthy and Michigan that season, and Minnesota football fans will have their opinions on him as a talent.

Sep 16, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) with the ball as Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Danny Striggow (92) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota’s 2024 season didn’t feature many top signal callers before things heated up again last fall. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele at Cal, Julian Sayin at Ohio State and Dante Moore at Oregon all have elite potential at the position, and they all handed the Gophers losses last season.

Haskins, Stroud, Maye, Sagapolutele, Moore and Sayin are probably on the short list of the top quarterbacks Fleck has faced at Minnesota. Where Taylor fits on that list is a fun conversation, but the Gophers are 0-6 against those quarterbacks. Clifford at Penn State or Nix at Auburn are probably the top quarterback talents they’ve knocked off, which isn’t exactly a stellar list.

Taylor looks like he could be a breakout star at quarterback for Mississippi State. The Gophers haven’t had the best success against star quarterbacks since Fleck joined the program in 2017.

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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Sep 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Gophers section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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