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Mississippi State

Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen announces return for 2025 season

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•12/10/24•

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Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen (Photo by Matt Bush, USA Today Sports)

Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen will return to the program for the 2025 season, he announced via X on Tuesday. Shapen was a transfer take for Jeff Lebby last offseason after starting his career at Baylor. An injury sidelines him for most of the year and his future in Starkville was in doubt.

But Shapen silenced any of the questions with his announcement. He will be back and hoping to play for Mississippi State next season.

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“Running it back with my DAWGS,” Blake Shapen said.

Shapen played in four games in 2024, throwing for 974 yards, eight touchdowns, and an interception. While there was some personal success for the quarterback, Mississippi State had a record of just 1-3 in those games. Eastern Kentucky was the lone win under Shapen’s guidance.

But a shoulder injury against Florida meant would miss the rest of the year. True freshman Michael Van Buren took over in his place. At the time, Lebby said Mississippi State would work hard to get Shapen a medical waiver to return. Based on Tuesday’s news, the plan worked.

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“We’re all hurting for Blake after this unfortunate news,” Lebby said in September. “Blake is the ultimate competitor and teammate and an unquestioned leader in our program. I know he will work incredibly hard to come back stronger than ever, and he will continue to serve as a team leader from the sidelines. We will support Blake every step of the way during his recovery process and explore all options to help him seek a medical hardship waiver to regain his lost year of eligibility.”

Mississippi State will likely have a quarterback decision to make moving forward. Shapen was thought to be the guy but Van Buren played well for a true freshman in his absence. Van Burne threw for 1,886 yards, 11 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 10 appearances.

The Bulldogs are thought to be after a signal caller in the NCAA transfer portal too, most notably Oklahoma‘s Jackson Arnold. Lebby has a relationship with Arnold back to their time in Norman, thought to be a good fit for one another. Shapen’s return might change the equation.