Kamario Taylor could be Mississippi State's next Dak Prescott

Mississippi State may have found its next great quarterback.

Kamario Taylor has played only two games as the Bulldogs' full-time starter, but the sophomore has already become one of college football’s biggest stories. The hype around Taylor has grown so quickly that comparisons to Bulldogs legend Dak Prescott are becoming difficult to ignore.

Taylor will have another opportunity to show why on Saturday when the Bulldogs travel to South Carolina for their first SEC game of the season.

The numbers through two games are difficult to overlook. Taylor has completed 38 of 56 passes for 581 yards and seven touchdowns without throwing an interception. He has added 145 rushing yards and another touchdown on the ground. His 363 total yards per game rank fourth nationally entering Week 3.

The breakout performance came last Saturday against Minnesota. Taylor completed 16 of 22 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns while rushing 13 times for 86 yards in Mississippi State's 38-13 victory. The Bulldogs scored touchdowns on their first four possessions, and Taylor repeatedly extended plays with his legs while making accurate throws downfield.

That performance pushed Taylor into the Heisman conversation. More importantly, NFL scouts are already taking notice.

Taylor stands 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, giving him the size to withstand SEC defenses while possessing the mobility to create problems outside the pocket. He also entered Mississippi State as the highest-rated quarterback recruit in program history and was considered one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks at the 2024 Elite 11 Finals.

The comparisons between Dak Prescott and Kamario Taylor

Prescott followed a similar path in Starkville. The future NFL star developed into one of the SEC's most productive dual-threat quarterbacks at Mississippi State. Taylor obviously has a long way to go before he can be placed in the same category, but the foundation is beginning to look familiar.

Both quarterbacks are Mississippi natives who chose Mississippi State despite opportunities elsewhere. Taylor grew up in Macon, just a short drive from Starkville, and chose the Bulldogs over programs including Georgia, Texas A&M and Missouri. His uncle, Omarr Conner, also played quarterback and receiver at Mississippi State from 2003-06.

Taylor also has the personality Mississippi State needs from its quarterback. As the attention around him has exploded, Taylor has repeatedly emphasized staying grounded. Head coach Jeff Lebby has also praised Taylor's preparation and said his strong performances have not surprised him.

Now comes the part that will determine whether the Prescott comparisons continue. South Carolina represents Taylor's first SEC test of the season, and the Gamecocks have already taken notice. South Carolina's coaches and players have discussed Taylor's emergence ahead of Saturday's matchup, with the Gamecocks preparing for a quarterback who can hurt a defense both through the air and on the ground.

The matchup should provide a better indication of how Taylor's skill set translates against SEC competition than Mississippi State's first two games.

That does not mean Taylor needs to replicate Prescott's career to make the comparison worthwhile. Prescott became one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Mississippi State history and eventually an NFL franchise quarterback. Taylor is only beginning his second college season.

But the early signs are undeniable. If he continues playing at this level, the Prescott comparisons may soon become less about potential and more about expectation.