Mississippi State’s quarterback room has gone from a strength to a full-blown problem, and Saturday’s loss to Texas only made it messier.
AJ Swann, making his first start for the Bulldogs, gave Jeff Lebby a brief reason to believe the offense might steady itself. Instead, Swann left before halftime with a right shoulder injury, and Mississippi State slid to a 31-3 defeat against No.
11 Texas. With Kamario Taylor already out for the year, the Bulldogs are now staring at another uncertain turn under center.
Swann’s day started well enough. After replacing Parker Puckett in the lineup, the veteran quarterback opened by completing his first eight passes and had 97 passing yards on 12-of-15 throwing before the injury hit. He brought a résumé built across Vanderbilt, LSU and Appalachian State, where he started 18 games in his college career, and Mississippi State was clearly hoping that experience would calm things down.
That didn’t last long. Late in the second quarter, Swann absorbed a hard shot from Texas defensive lineman Rasheem Biles and lost the ball.
Texas defensive tackle Maraad Watson scooped it up and raced 61 yards for a touchdown, pushing the Longhorns ahead 17-0. Swann then headed to the medical tent and never returned.
After halftime, he was seen on the sideline with a sling on his right arm, which only deepened the concern around his status.
Billy Puckett took over from there, but the freshman couldn’t get the offense moving. He finished 3 of 10 for 22 yards, and Mississippi State’s output stayed stuck at three points.
The bigger issue is the larger collapse around the position. Taylor was supposed to guide the Bulldogs this season before a toe injury required surgery and ended his 2026 campaign. That opened the door for Puckett, who then took the reins in losses to LSU and Oklahoma before Lebby turned to Swann against Texas in search of a different look.
Instead, the offense has kept sinking. Mississippi State averaged 533.3 yards per game during its 4-0 start, then dropped to 283 yards per game over the four-game losing streak. Since halftime of the 56-23 loss to Alabama on Oct. 3, the Bulldogs have managed only 24 points and three touchdowns.
That kind of production won’t cut it in the SEC.
What happens next depends on how serious Swann’s shoulder injury is and whether he can get back on the field. The fifth-year quarterback arrived in Starkville after stops at three different programs, and his experience made him a logical option when the Bulldogs needed help.
Now, with Taylor done for the season and Swann suddenly in question, Lebby may have to rethink everything at quarterback. Puckett could get another shot, and Jaden Rashada is still on the roster as another possibility. The staff has to figure out whether either one can bring enough consistency to finish the season.
And beyond that, Mississippi State has to start thinking about 2027, because the Bulldogs can’t afford to walk into another year without a dependable answer at quarterback.
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