Mississippi State wide receiver Anthony Evans III entered the 2026 season with record-setting ambitions, but an injury and the loss of quarterback Kamario Taylor have suddenly put a different question on the table: could Evans be back in Starkville for a fifth season in 2027?
That possibility now feels at least worth discussing. Evans has been one of the Bulldogs’ most productive offensive pieces this year, but the situation around him has shifted sharply. Taylor is out for the rest of the season, and Evans is also dealing with an injury that could keep him from reaching the statistical goals he set out to chase.
A year ago, Evans chose Mississippi State over the NFL after spending his first two college seasons at Georgia. That decision paid off quickly in 2025, when he became a dependable weapon for the Bulldogs with 80 catches for 954 yards and five touchdowns.
He carried that momentum into 2026 with big expectations. In his first five games, Evans piled up 574 receiving yards, which worked out to 114.8 per game, putting him on pace to threaten Mississippi State’s single-season receiving record of 1,055 yards, set by Brenen Thompson the year before.
Even with the injury cloud hanging over him, Evans has still put up elite numbers when he has been on the field. Through Week 8, he had 53 receptions for 647 yards and five touchdowns. That production had him leading the SEC in receptions and receptions per game, and his four 100-yard games marked a career high in a single season.
His work has not gone unnoticed, either. Evans earned a spot on the 2026 Associated Press Midseason All-America Second Team, a clear sign of how important he has been to Mississippi State’s offense.
The quarterback change only adds to the uncertainty. Evans and Taylor had time to develop chemistry during the season, but with Taylor sidelined, the Bulldogs will have to move forward with someone else under center. That kind of switch can ripple through a passing game, especially when timing, route details and consistency matter so much to a top target like Evans.
If the injury and the quarterback situation keep Evans from hitting the goals he had in mind, another season could become an attractive option. A return would give him another chance to finish his Mississippi State run the way he wants, and possibly even set up a reunion with Taylor if the quarterback gets back on track after recovery.
Of course, nothing is automatic. Evans is in his fourth collegiate season after playing at Georgia in 2023 and 2024 before transferring to Mississippi State in 2025. A fifth year in 2027 would depend on NCAA rules, his eligibility record and whether he qualifies for an extra season through a waiver or another exception.
There’s also the NFL to consider. Evans came back to Mississippi State in 2026 to be the centerpiece of the offense and chase program records, and another year could help his draft case. But that decision will depend on how he heals, how he finishes, and how professional evaluators view his future.
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The commitment also says plenty about how Mississippi State is selling its program on the trail. Whites decision underscores the appeal of the Bulldogs environment and the way the coaching staff has connected with him during the process, a combination that helped the school separate itself in a race that had drawn national attention. For a class still in its early stages, landing a wing with that kind of profile gives Mississippi State some real direction as it keeps assembling its next core. [Read more 🡒]
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Mississippi State's Upset Chances Just Got Tied To Two Texas Stars
Mississippi State heads into Saturday night in Austin knowing Texas is still chasing a win to keep its College Football Playoff path clean, but the matchup may hinge as much on availability as talent. The Longhorns are waiting on two of their biggest defensive and offensive difference-makers, and both injuries trace back to recent SEC battles that have already tested Texas depth.
Cam Coleman is expected to be available after leaving the Ole Miss game with a shoulder injury, which gives Texas a needed boost on the perimeter. The bigger uncertainty may be on the other side of the ball, where edge rusher Colin Simmons is dealing with a high ankle sprain suffered against Florida, leaving one of the Longhorns' top pass-rush threats in question as Mississippi State looks for any opening it can find. [Read more 🡒]