Sources: QB Taylor finalizing deal to return to Mississippi State in '27

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Mississippi State star quarterback Kamario Taylor is finalizing a deal Wednesday to return to the Bulldogs in 2027, sources told ESPN.

Taylor, a sophomore who projects as one of the top prospects for the 2028 NFL draft, led Mississippi State to a 4-0 start to this season before suffering a turf toe injury against Missouri Tigers on Sept. 26. He attempted to play through the injury but ultimately elected to have season-ending surgery on Oct. 29.

Taylor is in line to return for spring practice and again be the face of the program in 2027.

The deal is significant for Mississippi State. Throughout the negotiations, the Bulldogs indicated to Taylor and his camp that there will be an increased uptick in roster investment around him, as they see Taylor as the centerpiece of a roster that can reach the expanded 24-team College Football Playoff next season.

"One of the things we realized is the level of quality players who are intrigued by joining Kamario at Mississippi State," a source told ESPN.

Coach Jeff Lebby and athletic director Zac Selmon worked in lockstep on the deal, sources told ESPN, and it irked Taylor and many around the program that it was assumed Taylor would transfer after his sizzling start to the season.

"They don't know me," Taylor told ESPN in September concerning speculation that he'd transfer elsewhere. "They don't know the type of person I am. My mom always told me that once you start something, you have to finish it."

Taylor, who is from nearby Macon, Mississippi, and grew up as a fan of the Bulldogs, is also close to Lebby, a noted quarterback tutor who brought Taylor along slowly as a freshman and allowed him to develop instead of starting him immediately.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Taylor finished the season with 1,460 yards, 17 passing touchdowns, 147 rushing yards and also ran for a score while also catching a TD pass. He completed 65.4% of his passes in six games, two of which he was hampered by the injury.

After four games, Taylor was tied for the lead nationally in passing touchdowns and was third in total yards.