Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State’s sophomore quarterback, went absolutely viral in Week 1, dropping a 70-yard touchdown strike to Marquis Johnson against ULM. This wasn’t some dinky pop pass, either. Taylor launched the ball from his own 26-yard line, and it landed perfectly in Johnson’s arms at the ULM 19-yard line. That’s a 55-yard throw that looked completely effortless, and it put the entire college football world on notice.
The “Lottery Ticket” Is Cashing Out
Taylor isn’t just some viral sensation, this guy has all the tools to be a legitimate superstar. You see that 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame, and you know he’s built different. We’ve already witnessed his raw power from the pocket with that monstrous throw. But wait, there’s more! Taylor can absolutely fly when he gets into open space, piling up over 2,000 rushing yards in his career. Back in the 2025 signing class, he was a four-star recruit and the No. 8 quarterback, with 247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins calling him a “lottery ticket” because of that low floor but incredibly high ceiling. Well, that ticket is getting closer to hitting the jackpot, and if it does, it could totally change the direction of Jeff Lebby’s program.
From Flashes to Full-On Fire
We saw the full “lottery ticket” experience in his freshman year. In his first career start, the Egg Bowl against Ole Miss, the passing game was a work in progress. He completed fewer than 50 percent of his throws for 178 yards and an interception in a tough 38-19 loss. Those numbers won’t win many games, that’s for sure. But get this: in the same game, Taylor carved up the Rebels’ defense on the ground with 173 rushing yards and two touchdowns! That kind of dual-threat ability is just unfair. He followed that up with a more efficient passing performance in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, completing 13 of his 22 attempts in another loss. Now, Taylor’s primed to make a name for himself nationally.
Mississippi State faces Minnesota in a huge showdown this Saturday, September 12, at 3:30 p.m. ET from Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. You can catch all the action on CBS, or stream it on CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports App, and Paramount+. Can Taylor keep dropping those bombs and truly elevate his game on the national stage? I’m hyped to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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