Mississippi

Who is Kamario Taylor’s backup? Jeff Lebby updates Mississippi State QB competition

Published

4 weeks ago

March 18, 2026

Press Room

Who is Kamario Taylor’s backup? Jeff Lebby updates Mississippi State QB competition

Kamario Taylor is set as Mississippi State’s starting quarterback for the 2026 season.
Four other quarterbacks are competing for the backup position during spring practice.
Coach Jeff Lebby is looking to add players from the transfer portal, specifically an edge rusher.

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football knows sophomore Kamario Taylor will be the starting quarterback in 2026.

But as for his backup, that’s still to be decided as the Bulldogs held their first spring practice on March 17. Coach Jeff Lebby said it will be an ongoing competition between MSU’s four other quarterbacks on the roster: AJ Swann, Jaden Rashada, Parker Puckett and Brodie McWhorter.

“There’s great competition for the No. 2 spot, which I love,” Lebby said. “The other four guys are going to get a ton of reps. We’re going to cut them evenly. There’s going to be a different No. 2 every single day until one guy starts to separate a little bit.”

Swann and Rashada transferred to Mississippi State this season but with different profiles.

Swann is a veteran who’s started in 18 games in his career between Vanderbilt, LSU and Appalachian State.

Rashada is a redshirt junior who’s played in nine games in the last three seasons at Arizona State, Georgia and Sacramento State. He had two starts at Sacramento State before he suffered a thumb injury.

McWhorter is a freshman from Kingston, Georgia, an early-enrolled three-star in the 2026 recruiting class. Puckett is a redshirt freshman who walked on from Jackson Prep.

Taylor will be in his first season as the full-time starter.

Mississippi State still eyeing players in transfer portal

While there is no spring transfer window this season, Lebby said Mississippi State is still attempting to fill open roster spots. Players can no longer enter the transfer portal, but they can still commit to teams if they haven’t already.

247Sports reported Baylor edge rusher Kamauryn Morgan, the No. 1 uncommitted transfer and No. 18 player overall, is visiting MSU on April 4 and Auburn on March 28.

“There’s a chance for a rush, a jack/edge type player,” said Lebby, who did not mention anyone Mississippi State was targeting. “That will be one piece. And then from there, it will really be some depth pieces, whether it’s a backer, a safety, best available. There’s very, very few spots left.

“If we have the ability to add one more rusher, I’d be excited about that. There’s a couple guys left out there that I think are good enough to help on Saturdays and that will be something we continue to work through.”

Will Mississippi State football hold a spring game?

Mississippi State has not announced any plans about holding a spring game. Lebby said details should be revealed soon, though.

“We’ve got a couple things in the works that we’ll announce here hopefully in the next week,” Lebby said. “Some fan engagement things that will go on at one of our big spring scrimmages.”

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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Mississippi

Mississippi federal and state tax deadline move to June

Published

6 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi federal and state tax deadline move to June

The Mississippi Department of Revenue is moving tax day. The state announced on Wednesday, April 15, that it will offer tax relief after Winter Storm Fern.

The Internal Revenue Service announced on Tuesday, April 14, all Mississippi residents will get a federal extension to file.

The new deadline is June 8, 2026. It includes filing individual and business tax returns and making tax payments.

The decision follows a disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after the severe winter ice storm that knocked out power to thousands in January. As of late February, the storm was estimated to have caused about $107 million in damages.

IRS gives Mississippi federal tax extension because of ice storm

Rodney Foushee handles IRS media relations for North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. He said the relief applies to all 82 Mississippi counties.

It also covers all other IRS deadlines that fall between Jan. 23, when the winter storm started, and June 8. That includes “affected quarterly payroll and certain excise tax returns normally due on Feb. 2, 2026, and April 30, 2026.”

Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Jan. 23 and before Feb. 9 will be abated if the tax deposits were made by Feb. 9, the IRS wrote.

What does new state tax deadline in Mississippi affect?

Mississippi DOR said this change will include:

individual income tax return
corporate income and franchise tax returns
pass-through entity tax returns
quarterly estimated payments that were originally due in this period

The state will work with people who live outside the state but had business recorded, books or tax professionals who work in the affected area.

“The extension does not automatically apply to any other tax types or payments due on prior liabilities,” the DOR said.

Call the Mississippi Department of Revenue at 601-923-7700 if you need an extension or get a penalty notice.

Did Mississippi get rid of the state income tax?

The Mississippi Legislature agreed to eliminate the state income tax in 2025. Gov. Tate Reeves signed it into law.

The move also cut sales tax on groceries by 2%. It was designed to hike the gas tax by nine cents over three years to boost infrastructure funds.

When will Mississippi income taxes go away entirely?

Mississippi will phase out its income tax, but it could take up to a decade for it to be fully gone.

The state will have a 4% tax rate by fiscal year 2027. It should be at 3% by 2030.

After 2031, cuts will be activated by triggers set up in the language of the law passed in 2025.

How can I file Mississippi state taxes?

The Mississippi Department of Revenue encourages anyone who can to file electronically.

The most common paper return forms are also available online.

How can I track my Mississippi state tax refund?

You can check it online at https://tap.dor.ms.gov/. Have your ID type and number ready along with your refund amount.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY NETWORK. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

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Mississippi

IRS extends tax deadline for Mississippi after winter storm

Published

18 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Press Room

IRS extends tax deadline for Mississippi after winter storm

Need extra time to file your taxes this year? The Internal Revenue Service is moving the deadline for all Mississippi residents to file.

Rodney Foushee handles IRS media relations for North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. He said the relief applies to all 82 Mississippi counties.

The new June 8, 2026 deadline includes filing individual and business tax returns and making tax payments.

Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Jan. 23 and before Feb. 9 will be abated if the tax deposits were made by Feb. 9, the IRS wrote.

Mississippi state tax deadline stays the same

This change does not affect the state of Mississippi filing date.

The deadline to file and pay state taxes is April 15, 2026.

How do I get my federal tax return fast?

If you file electronically and choose to receive your refund by direct deposit, your refund will probably be issued within 21 days, the IRS says.

If you mail a paper return, the wait could be six weeks or longer. About 11 million Americans still file on paper, and the IRS is outsourcing the handling of those returns as part of its “Zero Paper Initiative.”

Can I get my tax refund as a paper check?

No. The IRS has phased out paper checks this year. (The IRS has said limited exceptions will be available.)

Plan to get it via direct deposit. People without bank accounts can use prepaid debit cards or digital wallets.

How do I track my 2026 income tax refund?

You can track the status of your refund check online at Where’s My Refund?

Some banks or financial institutions can take extra time to process checks. Weekends or holidays could delay processing, and the IRS says to check with your bank if you think it’s been processed but don’t see the funds in your account.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

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