The quarterbacks’ room in Starkville was guaranteed at least one previous contributor on Tuesday as Blake Shapen announced he would be using a fifth year of eligibility to play one more season at Mississippi State.
Shapen made the announcement of his 2025 return public via X with a simple caption that read, “Running it back with my DAWGS” paired with a couple of emojis and a team-provided graphic.
Running it back with my DAWGS🐶🎲 pic.twitter.com/OKUFjditmr
— Blake Shapen (@BShapen) December 10, 2024
Shapen, who had high expectations going into 2024 after transferring from Baylor, played in the team’s first four games before going down with a season-ending shoulder injury against Florida. The sample size was assuring to Bulldog fans, though, as the crafty lefty threw for 974 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception. He added 36 yards and two scores on the ground.
However, Shapen’s decision to return to Mississippi State does muddy the waters somewhat as many liked what they saw out of true freshman Michael Van Buren, Jr. during Shapen’s absence. Van Buren finished the year with 1,886 passing yards and 11 touchdowns while throwing seven interceptions. The Bowie, Md. native who de-committed from Oregon to play for Jeff Lebby added five touchdowns with his legs.
With speculation now suggesting Van Buren might hit the portal, a different name has emerged as to who might compete with Shapen for the quarterback job in Starkville. Jackson Arnold recently announced his intention to leave Oklahoma after two seasons – one of which he played under Lebby when he was the offensive coordinator in Norman – with official visits already scheduled for Mississippi State and Auburn.
Mississippi State’s third-string quarterback in 2024, Chris Parson, is also hitting the portal. But the Bulldogs did have Noxubee County High School standout KaMario Taylor sign with the program last week.
