Nick Saban didn’t need long to make his point about Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor.
On Friday’s “The Pat McAfee Show,” the former Alabama coach pointed to Taylor’s poise in the Bulldogs’ comeback win at South Carolina as a sign that the young quarterback has something special.
"Mississippi State gets behind 16-0 last week at South Carolina, and this Kamario Taylor guy is like, 'You know, shit happens,' and just keeps playing," Saban said Friday on " The Pat McAfee Show."
That calm showed up in a big way last Saturday. Mississippi State erased a 16-0 first-half deficit and beat the Gamecocks 41-34 on the road, one of the early defining results of the 2026 season.
Taylor’s start has become one of the biggest stories in the sport through three weeks. The 19-year-old has helped Mississippi State open 3-0 for the first time since 2017, and he has done it with production to match the buzz. He has completed more than 68% of his passes for 832 yards, thrown 11 touchdowns against just one interception, and added 178 rushing yards and another score.
That total of 12 offensive touchdowns ranks second nationally, trailing only USC’s Jayden Maiava. Among 121 qualifying FBS quarterbacks, Taylor sits fifth in passer efficiency and 14th in EPA/dropback, according to TruMedia.
Saban said Taylor’s response in a tough road environment was the kind of trait that separates quarterbacks from the pack.
"They take the game over on the road in a difficult place to play. And this guy is a young quarterback; I know he's not a freshman, but he is an outstanding player. So that shows me this guy has the right stuff to play this position."
He also noted the pressure that comes with the job, especially for younger players learning to handle the swings that come with playing quarterback.
"Because you're going to get criticized more at this position, you're going to get more credit at this position," Saban added when talking about Taylor. "You've got to deal with ups and downs more at this position. Young guys sometimes can do that; sometimes they struggle with that."
In Other News...
Mississippi State Just Lost A Former Commit In Florida's Backyard
A former Mississippi State commitment has landed much closer to home, as four-star safety Cyion Smith announced he is headed to Florida for the 2028 season. Smith, an in-state recruit from Blountstown, reopened his recruitment in May before taking a scholarship offer from the Gators, giving Florida a win on a prospect the Bulldogs once had in their class.
The timing only sharpened the spotlight, with Smith's commitment coming on the same day Florida hosted Ole Miss at The Swamp. For Mississippi State, it is another reminder of how quickly recruiting momentum can shift once a prospect starts weighing familiar ground against an SEC offer, and the Bulldogs now have to turn the page on a player who looked like part of their future not long ago. [Read more 🡒]
Mississippi State Already Faces A Kamario Taylor Question Fans Wont Like
Kamario Taylors fast start has already made him one of the more intriguing stories around Mississippi State, and not just because of what he has done on the field through the first three games. The Bulldogs have a quarterback who has shown enough early promise to get people talking, and when Nick Saban weighed in on ESPN, it added another layer to a situation that already feels bigger than a standard early-season breakout.
Sabans comment about what he would do in Taylors place was a reminder of how quickly college football can turn into a business conversation in the NIL era, even for a young player still trying to establish himself. Mississippi State now has to navigate not only a demanding schedule but also the possibility that a strong start could invite outside attention, leaving Taylors future as one of the more delicate questions hanging over the season. [Read more 🡒]
Kamario Taylors Week 4 Hype Just Set Up A Big Debate
Week 4s fantasy chatter has put a spotlight on Kamario Taylor as Mississippi State keeps sorting out what it can expect from its passing game. Among the weekend projections floating around, Taylors passing-yard total is the one drawing the most attention because it comes with a ceiling that reflects both his recent trend and the challenge of the defense he is set to face.
For the Bulldogs, the bigger question is less about a single prediction and more about what Taylors role looks like as the season settles in. If the matchup plays out the way the numbers suggest, Mississippi State may have to lean on efficiency and balance rather than volume, leaving Taylor in the middle of a debate that could shape how the offense is viewed going forward. [Read more 🡒]