Mississippi State Star Quarterback Enters Transfer Portal

With Mississippi State’s season almost certainly over, the flurry of offseason roster moves has begun.

Long-time Mississippi State starting quarterback Will Rogers will enter the transfer portal, but is leaving the door open for a possible return. Rogers has been with the Bulldogs since 2020 and has been a staple of the Bulldogs' offense since arriving on campus. 

Rogers ranks second all-time in the SEC in passing yards with 12,315 and fourth all-time in the SEC in passing touchdowns with 94. Rogers first arrived on campus as the quarterback for the late Mike Leach and thrived in the air raid offense, but has regressed since his sophomore season when he threw for 4,739 yards and 36 touchdowns. 

Rogers has dealt with an injury during his final season in Starkville, suffering a shoulder issue in his non-throwing arm in the Bulldogs' win over Western Michigan the first weekend of October. Rogers missed the next four games for Mississippi State. Vanderbilt transfer Mike Wright led the Bulldogs to a 1-3 record in Rogers's absence before he returned to the starting lineup in a 41-20 win over Southern Miss. 

Rogers's final game for Mississippi State came on Thanksgiving night, with the Bulldogs falling short of an Egg Bowl win. Ole Miss pulling out a 17-7 victory, ended Mississippi State's 13-year postseason streak. Rogers completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 207 yards in the loss and rushed three times for 10 yards and the lone touchdown for the Bulldogs. 

pic.twitter.com/v00Q94RAAi

— Will Rogers (@Wrogers__2) November 24, 2023

Rogers will enter the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining thanks to the COVID eligibility rules during the 2020 season. Wherever he lands, assuming he departs, the team will get an experienced signal caller who is ready to take control of the offense. 

As for State, a lot will obviously depend on who is named the new head coach and other roster changes. Wright is obviously in good position to challenge for the starting job next season, but a quarterback battle would not be unexpected with Chris Parson. 

Gutsy Egg Bowl Goes to Ole Miss, 17-7 Over Mississippi State