Kamario Taylor portal projection: These 4 schools could steal Mississippi State QB, but don't bet on it
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Kamario Taylor portal projection: These 4 schools could steal Mississippi State QB, but don't bet on it originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Nick Saban caused a stir on ESPN's "College GameDay on Sept. 26, even if he simply said what a lot of college football fans must be thinking.
"If I was coaching right now, I'd be trying to get Kamario Taylor to get into the portal," Saban said.
Taylor, the Mississippi State sophomore quarterback, emerged as a September star. The Bulldogs have vaulted to No. 16 in the AP Poll ahead of a Week 5 matchup against No. 7 Alabama – where Saban won six national championships as a head coach – at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., on Saturday.
Saban's comments drew criticism, notably from Shannon Sharpe, but why?
This is the college football world we live in now. Darian Mensah led Duke to an ACC championship last season and transferred to Miami on a lucrative NIL deal. Mensah is among the Heisman front-runners after leading the Hurricanes to a 4-0 start. At Big Ten Media Days, Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith confirmed being offered $10 million to transfer to another school. We do a transfer portal QB rankings every year. Taylor has the look of a future first-round quarterback – and he's at a school that spends $25-30 million on college football, according to a study by The Athletic.
So yes, when the season is over, Taylor is going to be treated like a free-agent quarterback, which takes away from the joy of watching him lead the Bulldogs now.
MORE: Kamario Taylor sits atop SEC QB rankings
Why would Kamario Taylor transfer from Mississippi State?
There are no indications Taylor would pursue other opportunities after the 2026 season. Taylor squashed the idea of entering the portal after leading the Bulldogs to a 31-24 victory against No. 19 Missouri.
"If you know me, you I bleed maroon and white," Taylor said.
Taylor was a four-star recruit at Noxubee County in Macon, Miss., not far from Starkville. Four other SEC schools – Georgia, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M and Missouri – had scholarship offers for Taylor, who did not have an offer from Ole Miss according to 247Sports.com.
Taylor has emerged as an early-season star with an incredible touch in the vertical passing game. He has 1,192 passing yards, 14 TDs and two interceptions, and the Bulldogs are playing their most-anticipated game since Dak Prescott led No. 1 Mississippi State against No. 4 Alabama in a 25-20 loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 15, 2014.
Taylor's mother – LaQuondra Conner – told the Clarion Ledger that Kamario and Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby, "They have a very, very perfect relationship."
Taylor has to play one more year before he is eligible for the 2028 NFL Draft – where he could potentially be a No. 1 pick. Prescott was a fourth-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys in 2016.
MORE: Week 5 picks | College Football Playoff forecast
FBS schools that could pursue Kamario Taylor in 2027
Taylor does not seem like a transfer portal candidate – at least not after September. Mississippi State could be in position to make its first appearance in the College Football Playoff, especially if it knocks off the Crimson Tide on Saturday. Mississippi State also plays No. 11 LSU (Oct. 17), No. 1 Texas (Oct. 31) and No. 9 Ole Miss (Nov. 27). A 10-2 team with that schedule would be hard to turn away from the CFP.
Yet, that's not going to stop the speculation. South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers reportedly had offers to enter the portal after his breakout season in 2024. According to The Athletic's Bruce Feldman: "His dad said other schools reached out to see if he was interested in transferring, and the biggest offer he heard was for $8 million for two years."
So we can't pretend this isn't happening. Here are four schools who could be knocking on Taylor's door after 2026 and would be interested if Taylor made the decision to enter the transfer portal.
MORE: Latest Heisman Trophy odds has Taylor in top 3
Georgia
Gunner Stockton is a fifth-year senior, and Ryan Puglisi is up next. Kirby Smart has not dipped into the portal recently, but this could be an opportunity knowing Georgia was in on Taylor's recruitment.
Texas A&M
The Aggies have shown to be aggressive spenders in NIL and also were involved in Taylor's recruitment, but it's been a tough start with Marcel Reed in 2026. Reed is a redshirt junior quarterback for the Aggies.
Miami
Look at the track record under coach Mario Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson. Cam Ward, Carson Beck and now Mensah have enjoyed immediate success as one-year quarterbacks in the transfer portal. The Hurricanes were able to pull Mensah from Duke with a massive NIL deal.
Indiana
Same concept. Curt Cignetti has had success with Kurtis Rourke, Fernando Mendoza and Josh Hoover as one-year rentals. Taylor would be making the move from the SEC to the Big Ten – which also might be a stretch – but the thought of his efficiency in that offense is scary.
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