Robert Griffin III is already sorting out the Heisman race, and after three weeks he’s got Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor sitting alone at the top of his board.
The former Heisman winner posted his top five front-runners entering Week 4, and the list is stacked with quarterbacks, plus one explosive receiver and a running back who’s making noise early. Behind Taylor, Griffin III went with Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Miami quarterback Darian Mensah, Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney, and Duke running back Nate Sheppard.
Taylor has been a big part of Mississippi State’s rise into the AP poll. The dual-threat quarterback has thrown for 832 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also averaging 6.6 yards per carry and scoring once on the ground.
The next three names on Griffin III’s list bring plenty of star power too. Mensah has been highly efficient with a 94.5 QBR after stepping in for Carson Beck, while Toney has already found the end zone five times as one of the most electric players in college football. Chambliss has piled up 924 passing yards and taken another step forward with a full offseason as Ole Miss’ quarterback.
Sheppard has also put together an eye-opening start. He’s totaled 528 yards and five touchdowns, and he’s already nearly halfway to his freshman production from last season. If he keeps that pace, reigning ACC champion Duke should be in the poll conversation and back in the mix as a conference contender.
All five players are set to be on the field Saturday. Mississippi State hosts Missouri in a top-25 matchup at 7:45 p.m.
ET on SEC Network. Ole Miss visits Florida in another top-25 game at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
Miami closes out the group’s weekend at home against Central Michigan at 6:30 p.m. on CW.
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CBS Sports analyst Bud Elliott has said he expects Taylor to stay put, pointing to his family ties, local roots and how well he fits in the current offensive scheme. For now, though, it is all speculation and no official word from Taylor or the program, which leaves Mississippi State waiting to see whether the rising signal-caller becomes a long-term answer or another source of offseason anxiety. [Read more 🡒]
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Taylor's start has been encouraging enough to put him on a list that also includes established names such as Arch Manning, whose talent is obvious even as questions linger about his mechanics and decision-making. For the Bulldogs, the next step is proving Taylor can keep building against better competition, because a strong opening only means so much if the test ahead starts exposing what still needs refining. [Read more 🡒]