With Taylor Out, Mississippi State Makes Unexpected QB Decision Hours Before Texas Game

Another quarterback change

Swann is trending toward starting for Mississippi State against Texas, giving the senior a chance to lead the offense in a difficult remaining matchup. Coach Jeff Lebby is looking for answers after Taylor was ruled out for the season following surgery.

Puckett took over after Taylor’s injury and started against LSU and Oklahoma. Mississippi State lost both games, while the offense struggled to move the ball consistently. With the season beginning to slip away, Lebby appears ready to adjust again.

Swann brings extensive experience

Swann had been third on the depth chart behind Taylor and Puckett. He has appeared in 24 career games and made 18 starts over four seasons, playing for Vanderbilt, LSU and Appalachian State before joining Mississippi State.

At Vanderbilt, he started 12 of 15 games across two seasons and recorded 2,731 passing yards with 22 touchdowns. He later appeared in two games for LSU while earning a redshirt. In 2025 at Appalachian State, he started six of seven appearances, throwing for 1,495 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His 30.8 QBR ranked 128th nationally.

Evans could benefit from change

The quarterback move may affect wide receiver Anthony Evans III, who had been among the Bulldogs’ most productive offensive players before Taylor’s injury. In a five-game stretch, Evans had four games with more than 110 receiving yards, including 12 catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns against Alabama.

Across Puckett’s two starts, Evans managed 73 receiving yards and no touchdowns. Mississippi State will look to revive its passing attack against Texas, and Swann could offer a chance to reconnect with the receiver.

Texas remains a challenge

The Longhorns are still expected to be a difficult opponent tonight. Star edge rusher Colin Simmons is reportedly unavailable because of an ankle injury, but the matchup remains one of Mississippi State’s toughest remaining tests.