Junior quarterback Keytaon Thompson has entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal after losing the starting quarterback battle at Mississippi State.
A school spokesperson confirmed Thompson’s departure with the Clarion Ledger.
Earlier this week, coach Joe Moorhead named graduate transfer Tommy Stevens as the starter to open the season.
Thompson backed up Nick Fitzgerald for two seasons and in limited action in 2018, he threw for 458 yards and six touchdowns and also rushed for 226 yards and four scores in 2018
Stevens joined the Bulldogs from Penn State, where Moorhead was Stevens’ offensive coordinator in 2016-17.
Stevens appeared in 23 games over three seasons with Penn State but had limited opportunities behind Trace McSorley, completing 24 of 41 passes for 304 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 506 yards and eight scores and had 14 receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns.
Moorhead said Thompson was disappointed he didn’t win the starting job.
“Like any competitor, especially one in this conference playing at that position, I wouldn’t say he took it well because that is not what I want to infer,” Moorhead said.. “But he certainly understood what the process was and understood what the decision-making criteria was.”
Freshman Garrett Shrader and redshirt freshman Jalen Mayden will back up Stevens.
The Bulldogs open the season on Aug. 31 against Louisiana.