Kamario Taylor to become highest-paid college quarterback

Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Kamario Taylor to return to Mississippi State, become highest-paid college QB

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 11, 2026 4:44 PM ET

Not many could've predicted Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor to burst onto the scene in the way that he did this season.

Rather than Taylor's future at Mississippi State being discussed when that happened, the national conversation turned into potential landing spots if Taylor were to enter the transfer portal after the season.

That won't be happening, though, as the latest reports Wednesday indicated that Taylor will be remaining in Starkville next season.

Kamario Taylor will be the highest-paid college quarterback next season

According to college football insider Pete Thamel, Taylor is finalizing a deal to return to Mississippi State in 2027.

Additionally, college football insiders Pete Nakos and Chris Low have reported that Taylor's deal is somewhere in the neighborhood of $7.5 million and with incentives, could climb up above $9 million.

The deal will make Taylor the highest-paid quarterback in college football next season and shows both the dedication Mississippi State had to get a deal done, as well as Taylor's loyalty to the program that took a chance on him.

Sources: Mississippi State star quarterback Kamario Taylor is finalizing a deal to return there in 2027. His return means one of the faces of college football next year will be in Starkville. Taylor led MSU to a 4-0 record to start this year before injury cut short his season. pic.twitter.com/zVTZrVN0BK
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 11, 2026

BREAKING: Kamario Taylor is finalizing a $7.5M deal to return to Mississippi State in 2027, making him college football's highest-paid QB, @PeteNakos and @Clowfb report.

With incentives, the deal could potentially climb above $9 million.https://t.co/AzJYj4nCVS pic.twitter.com/dlp14HZhTe
— On3 (@On3) November 11, 2026

Kamario Taylor was playing like the best quarterback in the country before his injury

Taylor was injured in Week 5 of the season, but prior to that, he was playing like the best quarterback in college football.

Through the first four games, Taylor had thrown for 1,192 yards with 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He'd also added 185 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Mississippi State was 4-0 and ranked No. 16 in the country before Taylor went down. Since then, though, it has lost five games in a row and is in jeopardy of once again finishing the season below .500.

Sit back and watch Kamario Taylor sling the rock https://t.co/X8RKUZagJX pic.twitter.com/8MWPeTU0NA
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) September 22, 2026

Mississippi State should get back to competing next season

With a full offseason to recover and get healthy, Taylor can get back to playing high-level football. Mississippi State can get back to competing atop the SEC.

Taylor returning and playing at a level similar to what he did before his injury, Mississippi State will have an excellent chance at making the expanded 24-team College Football Playoff.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

More must-reads: