Could Mississippi State Star Emerge as Miami Hurricanes Quarterback Portal Target?

MIAMI, Fla. – In today's college football world, financial resources make a big difference in roster construction, and the Miami Hurricanes are well-funded enough to land elite talent.

Over the last three seasons, a transfer portal quarterback found a new home in Coral Gables and made the most of the opportunity.

It started in 2024 with Cam Ward from Washington State, who went on to be the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, following a Heisman Trophy campaign with the Hurricanes (one-and-done). Immediately after, Carson Beck led the program to its first National Championship since the 2002 college football season, then became a third-round pick this year (one-and-done).

Given the proven trend of success, Darian Mensah followed the same path and is on pace to have a greater tenure. He's currently the Football Bowl Subdivision completion-percentage leader (81.4) and has the Hurricanes with a 7-0 (ACC 5-0) record, plus ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. Mensah is trending towards another one-and-done case.

Although head coach Mario Cristobal is looking to give the young quarterback room a chance to grow, another transfer-portal candidate could emerge, depending on how the situation shakes out.

It was first reported, then officially announced on Tuesday, that Mississippi State star quarterback Kamario Taylor will miss the rest of the season with a toe injury. He is expected to undergo surgery and make a full recovery. Taylor finishes with 1,460 passing yards and 17 touchdowns on a 65.4 completion percentage (104-of-159).

The 19-year-old led Bulldogs to a 4-0 start to the season, including a 31-24 win over No. 19 Missouri. Taylor sustained the injury on Sept. 26, but still made efforts to play through it against Alabama and Oklahoma, while being sidelined against LSU. However, it became clear that proper rest wouldn't be enough.

Taylor was carving out a fan-favorite underdog story, which ended abruptly on a disappointing note. After emerging as a college football star, there have been discussions about him potentially entering the transfer portal. Given today's power of N.I.L., Mississippi State will face the challenge of retaining the Macron (Miss.) native.

Despite being in the SEC, the Bulldogs could be outmatched financially.

The Hurricanes are rumored to have paid Beck $4 million, then Mensah $6.5 million. If Taylor were to explore all options in the portal, an opportunity to play in Coral Gables would likely present itself.

In a Tuesday segment on CBS Sports, analyst Pete Prisco made a bold claim:

"If you're going to get $2 million at Mississippi State and $6 million in Miami, go to Miami," he said. "That's what college football is right now."

Taylor grew up a Bulldogs fan and prefers to stay home. However, the pressure is on Athletic Director Zac Selmon and the rest of the roster to strengthen the roster around the rising star quarterback to have a better chance of retention.

Oregon State faced a similar situation with freshman wide receiver Jesse Legree. The Beaver's newest star currently leads the Football Bowl Subdivision with 1,040 receiving yards on 46 catches. Legree officially re-signed with the program for the 2027-28 college football season, he announced on Friday.

It's truly a strange time in college football as the transfer portal will open, starting on Jan. 4. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes will be waiting to evaluate all options and see where it goes from there, when the time comes.

More Miami Hurricanes News:

- "Do the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes Have the Nation's Most Impactful Freshmen?"

- "Why the Miami Hurricanes' Secondary Needs to New Life"

- "Miami Hurricanes Elite Five-Star Recruit Reportedly Plans Early Enrollment"