SEC QB Sees Unexpected Heisman Trophy Surge After Monster First 3 Games

Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor entered the 2026 season with high expectations. However, it was after three games that his name began making waves in the Heisman Trophy conversation. The sophomore has led the Bulldogs to a 3-0 record while amassing impressive statistics both through the air and on the ground. College GameDay analyst Desmond Howard has now given Taylor a significant boost, stating that if there was a Heisman vote right now, Taylor would be the second-place finisher behind Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.

This comment places Taylor alongside Chambliss and illustrates how rapidly the Mississippi State sophomore has shifted the Heisman conversation.

Taylor has been performing exceptionally well through the first three games. He has completed 56 of 82 passes for 832 yards, throwing 11 touchdowns and just one interception. Additionally, he has rushed for 178 yards and another score. His most recent performance came against South Carolina, where he threw four touchdowns in a 41-34 comeback victory.

Following this surge, Taylor's odds in the Heisman betting market improved from +15,000 to +1,000. This rise was driven not by hype alone, but by his impressive performance, as he averages 336.7 total offensive yards per game. His 1,010 total yards rank fifth nationally, according to On3. There is also increasing belief in his potential, with Jeff Lebby praising Taylor for being a player who "brings everybody else with him."

Despite the season being only three games in length, Mississippi State faces Missouri next, followed by several significant challenges. For now, Howard's assessment makes it clear that Taylor has transitioned from an overlooked name to a serious contender in the Heisman debate.