How much will it take for college football programs to re-sign their top quarterbacks heading into the 2027 season? Just ask Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor.
We have entered new territory when it comes to paying college athletes, especially in this era of NIL and revenue-sharing that has transcended the sports world.
College quarterbacks are making upwards of $6 to $7 million this season to lead their respective teams on the field, with that number only growing over the next few years as the price continues to trend upwards.
If you want an example of how much college sports have turned into a professional model, Mississippi State is finalizing a new deal with star quarterback Kamario Taylor that On3 reported will pay him $7.5 million next season for his services, and that number could jump to around $9 million if he collects incentive bonuses.
Wanting to stay Starkville has always been a priority for Taylor, who spent a lot of time before even enrolling at Mississippi State cheering on the Bulldogs. But, the ongoing talking-points around the sport of college football have centered around why Kamario should go chase a bigger paycheck somewhere else following the 2026 season.
“When I got to Mississippi State, I knew we could build something special,” Kamario Taylor said in a statement on Wednesday. “These last few weeks have only made me want it more. And I promise you this – big things are ahead for this program. Believe that. We have major goals, and we’re here to win. There’s no question that we understand the expectations, the standard and what it’s going to take to get there. And I couldn’t be hungrier for it.
“Right now, I wish more than anything I could be out on that field with my brothers. But I know they’ll keep putting in the work to finish this season strong. My recovery is right on track, and I’m looking forward to the day that I get to go back to work with these guys and the future talent that will be coming to Starkville.”
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Whether it was numerous media pundits floating the idea that he would be happier somewhere else other than Starkville, the Bulldogs quarterback made it known to the coaching staff that he did not want to play elsewhere next season, and he wasn’t chasing the ‘bag’.
But, that didn’t mean Mississippi State donors weren’t going to make sure their talented quarterback wasn’t taken care of from a financial standpoint, and they weren’t going to take the risk of some other team making him think twice about his decision.
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This is a growing trend in college athletics. Conference commissioners and school officials can lobby all they want about reigning in the sport, but money will continue to talk.
And, if you think some schools are going to sit by and watch others swoop in to steal their talented players, you don’t understand the pull that a place like Mississippi State can put together to entice athletes to stay.
“I can’t wait to play for Coach Lebby in 2027. He believed in me from day one, and I believe in where he’s taking this program,” Kamario Taylor mentioned about head coach Jeff Lebby. “I’m grateful to Mr. Selmon and the leadership at Mississippi State for their commitment to building a winning program here. I see it every day, and I want to keep helping build something special in Starkville.”
After suffering a turf-toe injury earlier in the season, Kamario Taylor decided that surgery was the best option for him to be at 100% when the Bulldogs started their off-season training. So, now that his deal to return to Starkville in 2027 is complete, head coach Jeff Lebby can start building around its star quarterback through the transfer portal for next season.
It is a massive deal for the Mississippi State athletic department to have the former Heisman Trophy contender returning for another season, especially from a marketing standpoint.
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Essentially, the money that the school and donors will pay Taylor for his services will be worth the contract he signs to stay in Starkville.
And yes, he’s making mid-first-round draft pick money for the next calendar year.
If you thought this type of salary was a lot in college athletics, wait till you see what some of the other top college football players will garner as we get closer to the end of the regular season and the transfer portal prepares to open.
Money well spent by the Bulldogs, in this ‘professional’ world of college athletics.
