Mississippi State’s Backup QB Battle Has a Veteran in an Awkward Spot

Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) warms up before the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectSTARKVILLE — Mississippi State Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby signed quarterback AJ Swann to give his quarterback room something it lacked: a veteran who had started SEC games.

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby signed quarterback AJ Swann to give his quarterback room something it lacked: a veteran who had started SEC games.

When the Bulldogs finally needed a replacement for quarterback Kamario Taylor against Alabama, however, Swann stayed on the sideline.

When the Bulldogs finally needed a replacement for quarterback Kamario Taylor against Alabama, however, Swann stayed on the sideline.

The choice has made the backup quarterback job one of the most interesting stories before Saturday’s trip to LSU. Swann was recruited for situations like this, yet redshirt freshman Parker “Billy” Puckett got the first opportunity. It is a revealing development, even if it does not tell us who would start if Taylor is unavailable.

The choice has made the backup quarterback job one of the most interesting stories before Saturday’s trip to LSU. Swann was recruited for situations like this, yet redshirt freshman Parker “Billy” Puckett got the first opportunity. It is a revealing development, even if it does not tell us who would start if Taylor is unavailable.

Appalachian State Mountaineers quarterback AJ Swann (5) makes a pass against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles during the first quarter at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on September 13, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectAJ Swann Brought the Résumé Mississippi State Wanted–>AJ Swann Brought the Résumé Mississippi State WantedSwann committed after visiting Starkville last offseason, bringing 18 career starts across Vanderbilt and Appalachian State. He arrived as a fifth-year quarterback with 32 touchdown passes and more than 4,200 yards of experience, the sort of background coaches want behind a young starter.

Swann committed after visiting Starkville last offseason, bringing 18 career starts across Vanderbilt and Appalachian State. He arrived as a fifth-year quarterback with 32 touchdown passes and more than 4,200 yards of experience, the sort of background coaches want behind a young starter.

He started six games as a first-year player at Vanderbilt in 2022 and returned as a starter in 2023. Swann then backed up Garrett Nussmeier at LSU before moving to Appalachian State, where an injury interrupted a season that included 1,495 passing yards and 10 touchdown passes.

He started six games as a first-year player at Vanderbilt in 2022 and returned as a starter in 2023. Swann then backed up Garrett Nussmeier at LSU before moving to Appalachian State, where an injury interrupted a season that included 1,495 passing yards and 10 touchdown passes.

In discussing his next move with 247Sports, Swann framed his objective around staying healthy for a full season and showing what he could do. Mississippi State looked like a place where that experience could be useful, even with Taylor established as the No. 1 quarterback.

In discussing his next move with 247Sports, Swann framed his objective around staying healthy for a full season and showing what he could do. Mississippi State looked like a place where that experience could be useful, even with Taylor established as the No. 1 quarterback.

The NIL Standard assigns Swann an estimated market value of $550,000 (it is a modeled valuation, not evidence of his contract or actual pay). The more important measure now is whether Lebby trusts him to run the offense when a game is undecided.

The NIL Standard assigns Swann an estimated market value of $550,000 (it is a modeled valuation, not evidence of his contract or actual pay). The more important measure now is whether Lebby trusts him to run the offense when a game is undecided.

Sep 5, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Parker Puckett (15) looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectTaylor exited the 56-23 loss to Alabama in the fourth quarter after playing through an apparent injury. He later wore a boot on his right foot. Lebby inserted Puckett, a Jackson Prep product who had previously been part of the scout team.

Taylor exited the 56-23 loss to Alabama in the fourth quarter after playing through an apparent injury. He later wore a boot on his right foot. Lebby inserted Puckett, a Jackson Prep product who had previously been part of the scout team.

Puckett has completed 8-of-14 passes for 89 yards in two appearances this season, but his cameo against Alabama came with the result slipping away. It would be a stretch to treat that appearance as proof he has beaten Swann in every situation.

Puckett has completed 8-of-14 passes for 89 yards in two appearances this season, but his cameo against Alabama came with the result slipping away. It would be a stretch to treat that appearance as proof he has beaten Swann in every situation.

Lebby reinforced that distinction Monday. The coach said Puckett and Swann have competed since the first day of fall camp, and his immediate focus remains preparing Taylor to play. The public depth chart lists Puckett and Swann as co-backups, leaving a genuine decision if the starter cannot go.

Lebby reinforced that distinction Monday. The coach said Puckett and Swann have competed since the first day of fall camp, and his immediate focus remains preparing Taylor to play. The public depth chart lists Puckett and Swann as co-backups, leaving a genuine decision if the starter cannot go.

There is still an awkward truth for Swann. Mississippi State added him for his résumé, while the first snaps behind Taylor went to the younger quarterback. He has time to change the order, but the chance to do so could arrive sooner than planned.

There is still an awkward truth for Swann. Mississippi State added him for his résumé, while the first snaps behind Taylor went to the younger quarterback. He has time to change the order, but the chance to do so could arrive sooner than planned.

Lebby declined to clarify Taylor’s availability at his Oct. 12 news conference, pointing reporters toward Wednesday’s SEC report. The timing gives the staff a few more days to decide whether Taylor can operate comfortably against a defense known for creating sacks and negative plays.

Lebby declined to clarify Taylor’s availability at his Oct. 12 news conference, pointing reporters toward Wednesday’s SEC report. The timing gives the staff a few more days to decide whether Taylor can operate comfortably against a defense known for creating sacks and negative plays.

LSU enters Saturday at 4-2 after losing 35-34 in overtime at Kentucky. That makes the quarterback decision more demanding than a late substitution against Alabama. A backup would have to manage a hostile road setting and avoid handing extra possessions to a dangerous opponent.

LSU enters Saturday at 4-2 after losing 35-34 in overtime at Kentucky. That makes the quarterback decision more demanding than a late substitution against Alabama. A backup would have to manage a hostile road setting and avoid handing extra possessions to a dangerous opponent.

Swann knows Tiger Stadium from his season behind Nussmeier. If Taylor cannot play, returning there in a Mississippi State uniform could finally give the veteran a chance to show what his transfer was supposed to bring.

Swann knows Tiger Stadium from his season behind Nussmeier. If Taylor cannot play, returning there in a Mississippi State uniform could finally give the veteran a chance to show what his transfer was supposed to bring.

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MARVIN UZORMarvin Uzor covers for Mississippi State Bulldogs On SI and Colorado Buffaloes On SI, part of the Sports Illustrated Network. He has 8+ years of experience as a sports writer and editor, with work appearing on platforms like Yahoo Sports, The Grueling Truth, Last Word on Sports, Neutral Zone, and Frenetic Pace Sports. He has covered everything from college football and the NFL to the NBA, MLB, soccer, and the business of sports. Marvin also covered the 2026 FIFA World Cup for The Grueling Truth and has 3 years of experience working as a Senior Content Editor for ABC's Shark Tank. He is a longtime follower of college football and soccer who enjoys digging into the stories that make sports worth the time.