Mississippi
Who is Kamario Taylor’s backup? Jeff Lebby updates Mississippi State QB competition
Mississippi State football spring practice video clips
Watch some clips of Mississippi State football during its first spring practice of 2026.
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_.
Eight Mississippi public schools are being recognized for their support of military families and children of those who serve in the U.S. armed forces.
The Mississippi Department of Education acknowledged the following educational facilities as new Military Star Schools for 2026-28:
- Hattiesburg High School
- Callaway High School
- Jim Hill High School
- Baxterville School
- Lumberton Elementary
- Sumrall High School
- New Hope Lower Elementary
- Ocean Springs High School
According to the department, Military Star Schools must meet specific requirements that address the unique needs of military students and families. These include appointing a dedicated school liaison for military families, providing student-led transition services and peer support, ensuring professional development for staff to respond to the needs of military students and families, and publicly recognizing service members and their families.
Gov. Tate Reeves established the Military Star School program in February 2022, making Mississippi one of 31 states at that time with a formal program to recognize schools that support military families. In 2025, 18 schools earned the designation for 2025-27.
The Military Star School program is designed to help schools respond to the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school and keep them on track to be college, workforce and life-ready. “Military-connected” refers to children of service members on active duty and in the National Guard and Reserves.
The Military Star School designation remains in effect for two years. Schools can reapply to maintain the designation. New schools can apply to receive the designation between Dec. 1, 2026, and Feb. 15, 2027. There are now 103 Military Star Schools in Mississippi. The full list can be found here.
East Nashville defensive back Ke’Vontae Pitts committed to Mississippi State football after his official visit on June 14, he announced on X.
Pitts, a 6-foot, 175-pound junior, picked the Bulldogs over offers that included Memphis, Arkansas State, East Carolina, Charlotte and Austin Peay.
It was a swift recruitment from Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby’s staff, which had just offered Pitts on June 9.
Pitts does not have a ranking with 247Sports but has 12 offers from FBS and FCS programs.
Pitts intercepted four passes in 2025 while helping East Nashville reach the TSSAA football Class 2A state quarterfinals. He also had 60 tackles and three punt returns for touchdowns.
He was scheduled to take an official visit to Memphis on June 19.
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
He also contributes to The Tennessean’s high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 14, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 14 drawing
Midday: 1-1-2, FB: 9
Evening: 8-9-8, FB: 0
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 14 drawing
Midday: 7-6-6-0, FB: 9
Evening: 1-5-0-7, FB: 0
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 14 drawing
Midday: 04
Evening: 04
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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