‘There’s Somebody I Do Blame’ — Paul Finebaum Points Finger at Nick Saban for Stirring Up Transfer Portal Talk Around Kamario Taylor

Talk of Kamario Taylor’s potential transfer emerged as a hot topic after Nick Saban said on ESPN’s College GameDay, “If I was coaching right now, I’d be trying to get Kamario Taylor to get in the portal.”

The Mississippi State sophomore quarterback has been clear that he does not want to leave the program. Taylor has also emerged as one of the rising quarterbacks of the 2026 college football season.

ESPN personality Nick Saban does the Guns Up gesture toward Texas Tech students before a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

In a podcast, analyst Paul Finebaum addressed Saban’s comments and blamed the former Alabama head coach for fueling the transfer-portal speculation surrounding Taylor.

“I don’t blame fans calling up (radio shows) and saying, ‘Oh, he’s going to go to LSU. He’s going to play for Kalen DeBoer,'” Finebaum said. “I tell you, there’s somebody I do blame for what happened this week in the country. This may be verboten, but I blame Nick Saban because Nick Saban went on College Game Day and showed the arrogance of Alabama by saying, ‘Well, yeah, I’d go in the portal and sign him.’

“I think that was outrageous for somebody who was supposed to be one of the voices and faces of college football. … And it came an hour after he pleaded with the audience to vote for this for the (Protect College Sports Act) Senate bill, which is going to limit (transfers). And then he comes there and says, ‘Yeah, I’d go get him.’ And the arrogance of that, I think, sends a chilling message to fans (at Mississippi State) that you’re not good enough if Alabama or LSU or Florida or Georgia decides to come get him.”

“I don’t blame fans calling up (radio shows) and saying, ‘Oh, he’s going to go to LSU. He’s going to play for Kalen DeBoer,'” Finebaum said. “I tell you, there’s somebody I do blame for what happened this week in the country. This may be verboten, but I blame Nick Saban because Nick Saban went on College Game Day and showed the arrogance of Alabama by saying, ‘Well, yeah, I’d go in the portal and sign him.’

“I think that was outrageous for somebody who was supposed to be one of the voices and faces of college football. … And it came an hour after he pleaded with the audience to vote for this for the (Protect College Sports Act) Senate bill, which is going to limit (transfers). And then he comes there and says, ‘Yeah, I’d go get him.’ And the arrogance of that, I think, sends a chilling message to fans (at Mississippi State) that you’re not good enough if Alabama or LSU or Florida or Georgia decides to come get him.”

Taylor grew up in Macon, Mississippi, and his connection to the program goes beyond football. His uncle, Omarr Conner, also played for Mississippi State.

The transfer speculation has added another storyline around Taylor, who has quickly attracted national attention with his performances during the 2026 season. While Saban’s comments have fueled discussion about where the young quarterback could potentially play, Taylor’s own comments have indicated that his focus remains on Mississippi State.

The situation also highlights the growing influence of the transfer portal in modern college football. Quarterbacks who establish themselves as productive starters can quickly become attractive targets for programs looking for talent at the position. That reality has made transfer discussions a regular part of the sport, even when players have not publicly expressed an interest in leaving their current schools.

For Mississippi State, keeping Taylor focused could become increasingly important as the season progresses. The Bulldogs will want their young quarterback to remain concentrated on developing his game and continuing to build chemistry with his teammates rather than becoming distracted by speculation about his future.

Finebaum’s criticism adds another layer to the debate surrounding the transfer portal and the way college football’s biggest programs can influence conversations around emerging players.