Kamario Taylor feeling comfortable as Bulldog signal caller ahead of bowl prep

As Mississippi State inches closer to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, NC, quarterback Kamario Taylor is getting more and more confident behind center.

Taylor finished the regular season earning the first start of his career in a loss against Ole Miss and the team is now under his leadership as the signal caller. It’s exactly where the Noxubee County alum feels he has been destined to be for most of his life and now he’s ready to put all of the hard work into action.

As he continues to prepare with his teammates for the big game against Wake Forest, Taylor had a chance to discuss preparation for the bowl game as well as his thoughts on the roster as State gets ready for 2026.

Question: What’s it been like preparing for this game knowing this is your team?

KT: “It’s been very fun getting a chance to go out there and compete with the seniors and the older guys. We have a chance at another opportunity to show the world what Mississippi State is about to become.”

Q: What’s it like getting those extra reps as the starter?

KT: “It’s building a lot of trust with everyone else. Showing the guys that are going to come in and guys we’re getting out of the portal that this is going to be something they want to be a part of once they see the film and the proof in the pudding. Those (reps) have made me very confident and comfortable.”

Q: It sounds like you’re doing as much recruiting as practicing.

KT: “I am. I’m trying to get this thing on the right track.”

Q: What is your scouting report on your brother Jaiden?

KT: “On the field, he kind of compares himself to Travis Hunter. He thinks he’s Trav – wears No. 12. He’s going to be a very fun person to watch. Off the field, he’s a better person. He doesn’t do much talking. He laughs and talks when he gets around his guys and when he gets around Fluff (Bothwell) he turns into a whole different person. He’s going to be very fun watching him grow up when he gets here. I’m excited to see him do it.”

Q: Where were you when you found out you got a bowl game?

KT: “I was actually still in Starkville. I was in my bed getting ready to come to the facility and coach (Jeff Lebby) called me and told me to make sure everyone stays in Starkville because ‘we have an opportunity ahead of us. We can’t say that it’s set in stone yet, but it’s on the way. We’re going to make an announcement tomorrow to see where we stand.’

“Fluff was actually in my room and he was like, ‘twin, we need this game. We need to show everybody what we can do. The backfield is going to be crazy.’”

Q: What is that vision that you and your brother have for Mississippi State?

KT: “I think we can actually sustain a good playoff run within every year that Leb is here. As y’all see, the evolution we made from last year at 2-10 to 5-7, it can only go up.”

Q: How has it sunk in that you’re the starting quarterback now?

KT: “At first it was a little loop, but everyone made me feel more comfortable. The center, Canon Boone made me feel comfortable. My o-linemen made me feel like I belong here. Every teammate that I had let me know that they believed in me. It gave me a lot of confidence and an extra boost. I’m coming in with a different type of fire.”

Q: What did you think when Fluff announced he was coming back next season?

KT: “Words can’t even explain honestly. I was at a loss for words because he was playing with me. He was like, ‘twin, I don’t know.’ Next thing I know I see an Instagram post pop up and I said, ‘let’s go, Fluff. We’re running it back.’ I was very excited to hear that.”

Q: How different has your relationship been with the wide receivers since you’ve taken over starting reps?

KT: “We’ve been communicating more. We wrestle around in the locker room all the time with the wide receivers vs. quarterbacks. That relationship has grown since I’ve become the starting quarterback. It goes back to Ole Miss week, and they were the first ones to actually bring the news to me letting me know I was starting and that they were with me 100% of the way and they were going to play their hardest for me.”

Q: A lot of people say that this is a chance for you to showcase what’s ahead next year for you and Fluff and the offense. How comfortable are you in that spot?

KT: “I feel like I’m built for it. I’ve waited patiently, grind day in and day out. I feel like God’s timing was the best timing and this is the time to show it.”

Q: What are you going to tell the guys either wanting to leave or wanting to come here out of the transfer portal?

KT: “The proof is in the pudding. When they talk to Leb, he’s going to let it be known that what we’re building here is very special. Our offensive guys who are planning to hit the portal, they’re going to want to be a part of it. Guys that are fixing to hit the portal at other schools, they’ve already texted me asking how Lebby is and I tell them they’ll know when they talk to him. That’s all that I’m going to say.”

Q:What dynamic does Xavier Gayten add to the room?

KT: “Speed. We’ve got our 1-2 punch. We have Fluff, JJ (Hill), (Gayten), Kolin (Wilson), but X is our home run hitter. He can break it from 99 (yards) then he can get tough yards too when we need critical first downs he can get those type of yards too. He brings a lot to the table and we’re very happy to have him back.”

Q: Are you going to enjoy Christmas or will you be thinking about the bowl game?

KT: “Bowl game, without a doubt.”

Q: What have you seen from Wake Forest?

KT: “They play very hard. They play together, everyone does their assignment to the fullest and they do their job to the T. They disguise it well and are a very smart group.”

Q: What do you think of Jeff Lebby getting mayonnaise dumped on him at the bowl game?

KT: “I don’t like mayo. I’m going to clown him for sure. He’s going to get mayo poured on him, I just hope it doesn’t stink because I don’t like mayo.”