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THIBODAUX, LA — Being a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy has already motivated Mississippi State football quarterback Kamario Taylor for his return to Louisiana in the 2026 season.
The Bulldogs play LSU in Baton Rouge on Oct. 17, and even though the game is four months away, Taylor can’t wait.
“I’m looking forward to the hospitality not being so good toward us,” Taylor said on June 26. “I’m trying to go ruin whatever night they’re going to have because Death Valley is a place that a lot of quarterbacks don’t want to go, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Taylor’s anticipation stems from multiple things. Growing up in Macon, Mississippi, Taylor said LSU was one of his favorite teams, which is also why it hurt him when the Tigers didn’t recruit him as a quarterback.
Taylor was a four-star recruit at Noxubee County and the No. 11 quarterback in 2024, per the 247Sports Composite, but the Tigers’ coaching staff thought a different position might suit him better.
“(The coaches) were like, ‘We like your film at quarterback, but we would like to get you down here to work out as a safety,’ Taylor said. “So, that kind of put a chip on my shoulder, like they told me I’m really not good enough as a quarterback. So that really made me feel some type of way.”
Although Lane Kiffin is now the coach at LSU, Taylor’s motivation is still fierce. Kiffin recruited Taylor while at Ole Miss but never offered him, adding fuel to Taylor’s fire.
Now, Taylor will have a chance to pick up a statement win against Kiffin and the Tigers. He isn’t letting the potential pressure of a big game in his first season as a full-time starter rattle him.
“I always looked at pressure like a privilege my whole life, so in order for you to have pressure on you, that means you’re doing something the right way, so I look at that as an amazing opportunity and a blessing.”
Although Taylor will have to wait to see who earns bragging rights against LSU, he’s already experienced what it’s like to be on the losing end of a rivalry game.
Taylor’s first career start came against Kiffin and Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl last season as a true freshman. He threw for 178 yards with one interception and rushed for 173 yards with two touchdowns in the 38-19 Mississippi State loss.
Taylor has been playfully reminded of that result and MSU's rivalry against Ole Miss numerous times at the Manning Passing Academy with Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss being one of his roommates and former Ole Miss quarterbacks Archie and Eli Manning running the camp.
“I did have a little joke with Kamario because he’s at Mississippi State, but nah, it’s nothing but good vibes,” Chambliss said. “… I’m nervous to play him this year because he’s electric. He’s really good.”
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X @tiareid65.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football QB Kamario Taylor explains motivation vs LSU, Lane Kiffin
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The Bulldogs play LSU in Baton Rouge on Oct. 17, and even though the game is four months away, Taylor can’t wait.
“I’m looking forward to the hospitality not being so good toward us,” Taylor said on June 26. “I’m trying to go ruin whatever night they’re going to have because Death Valley is a place that a lot of quarterbacks don’t want to go, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Taylor’s anticipation stems from multiple things. Growing up in Macon, Mississippi, Taylor said LSU was one of his favorite teams, which is also why it hurt him when the Tigers didn’t recruit him as a quarterback.
Taylor was a four-star recruit at Noxubee County and the No. 11 quarterback in 2024, per the 247Sports Composite, but the Tigers’ coaching staff thought a different position might suit him better.
“(The coaches) were like, ‘We like your film at quarterback, but we would like to get you down here to work out as a safety,’ Taylor said. “So, that kind of put a chip on my shoulder, like they told me I’m really not good enough as a quarterback. So that really made me feel some type of way.”
Although Lane Kiffin is now the coach at LSU, Taylor’s motivation is still fierce. Kiffin recruited Taylor while at Ole Miss but never offered him, adding fuel to Taylor’s fire.
Now, Taylor will have a chance to pick up a statement win against Kiffin and the Tigers. He isn’t letting the potential pressure of a big game in his first season as a full-time starter rattle him.
“I always looked at pressure like a privilege my whole life, so in order for you to have pressure on you, that means you’re doing something the right way, so I look at that as an amazing opportunity and a blessing.”
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss taunts Kamario Taylor about Egg Bowl
Although Taylor will have to wait to see who earns bragging rights against LSU, he’s already experienced what it’s like to be on the losing end of a rivalry game.
Taylor’s first career start came against Kiffin and Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl last season as a true freshman. He threw for 178 yards with one interception and rushed for 173 yards with two touchdowns in the 38-19 Mississippi State loss.
Taylor has been playfully reminded of that result and MSU's rivalry against Ole Miss numerous times at the Manning Passing Academy with Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss being one of his roommates and former Ole Miss quarterbacks Archie and Eli Manning running the camp.
“I did have a little joke with Kamario because he’s at Mississippi State, but nah, it’s nothing but good vibes,” Chambliss said. “… I’m nervous to play him this year because he’s electric. He’s really good.”
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X @tiareid65.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football QB Kamario Taylor explains motivation vs LSU, Lane Kiffin
Continue reading...
