Kamario Taylor Agrees to Deal That Could Reach $9 Million at Mississippi State

Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor agreed to a 7.5 million dollar agreement to remain with the Bulldogs next season, surpassing top-earning 2026 collegiate deals and rivaling rookie contracts in the NFL.

Pete Nakos and Chris Low of On3 reported that the agreement could reach 9 million dollars with performance bonuses. This figure easily outpaces the most lucrative figures across the NCAA for the 2026 season.

Darian Mensah of the University of Miami previously held the top spot with an estimated value of 6.5 million dollars according to On3. Dante Moore of Oregon and Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss followed at 5 million dollars each.

The financial scale rivals professional compensation. A quarterback drafted in the third round typically earns slightly more than 1 million dollars in his first season, and many players under rookie contracts earn less than Taylor will make in a single collegiate year.

Taylor grew up in Macon, roughly thirty minutes from the university, and attended games as a lifelong fan of the Bulldogs. His uncle, Omarr Conner, previously played quarterback at Mississippi State.

ESPN reported in January that Taylor received offers of approximately 4 million dollars from other programs after two strong performances at the end of his freshman season. He declined those proposals to honor his commitment to Mississippi State.

"I bleed maroon and white," Taylor said after a victory over Missouri when asked about staying loyal to the program.

His early-season play turned him into a Heisman Trophy candidate and pushed the Bulldogs into the top 15 of the national rankings. Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones, a former Mississippi State player, announced in September that he would contribute financially to the university’s efforts to retain the quarterback.

Taylor sustained an injury during a 23-15 loss to Oklahoma in late October. The university confirmed that he would not return to action for the remainder of the season.

The agreement shows how college football has changed since the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness revenue. An increasing number of quarterbacks choose to delay their transition to the NFL because collegiate earnings exceed rookie paychecks in the professional ranks.