What K.J. Costello Brings to The Bulldogs

Mike Leach has had tremendous success with graduate transfer quarterbacks the past few seasons. K.J. Costello gives Leach another a chance to work his magic with another grad transfer. Costello gives Mississippi State an experience quarterback that has started 25 games during his career at Stanford. Let’s look at what Costello transferring to Mississippi State gives the Bulldogs in the terms of the type of signal caller he is.

Costello earned his share of honors while at Stanford. Costello was only able to play five games last season, but in 2018 he earned second team All-PAC 12 honors. Costello passed for 3,540 yards and for 29 touchdowns. Costello played well during his time at Stanford. Costello comes to Starkville ready to compete for the quarterback job and brings with him plenty of experience that he can contribute to the quarterback meeting room.

Transferring to Starkville gives Costello a chance to earn the quarterback position and give him a chance to start in the toughest conference in college football. Costello will have the opportunity to follow in Gardner Minshew, Luke Falk, and most likely Anthony Gordon as quarterbacks who are or will be in the NFL. Costello also gives the Bulldogs a quarterback in every class, which is something Leach was wanting to have as he prepares for spring practices.

The quarterback meeting room is going to be full with K.J. Costello joining Garrett Shrader, Keytaon Thompson, Jaden Walley, and Will Rogers. The quarterback competition will likely not be settled until fall practice begins. Leach will want to find the quarterback that can run the offense effectively and keep drives alive. Putting the points will keep Mississippi State in every game, but the challenge now is to find the quarterback that will do that. Adding Costello to the mix only strengthens what Leach is wanting to do and helps make the Bulldogs even more dangerous.