When the 2024 football season began, Blake Shapen became Mississippi State’s dual-threat quarterback poised to take them into a new era. That era was framed by first-time head coach Jeff Lebby, with a new high-powered offense, led by Shapen. However, a couple of things happened. The Bulldogs went 1-3 in their first four games, and the Baylor transfer suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against Florida. Despite the losing record, Shapen finished his four-game series with 974 yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception. His passing average was 68.52% and he ran for two touchdowns. He was the quarterback Lebby was looking for. He was able to use his legs, and “throw the ball all over the field,” as the head coach stated. So, what is the future for Shapen and the Bulldogs?
That is the over-arching question in this Shapen saga. But, others could lead one to speculate about the big question, at least at this juncture. Perhaps a look back at the senior quarterback’s past can provide some perspective.
Not His First Rodeo
Shapen played in 23 games while at Baylor, and amassed an impressive resume. He ended up throwing for 4,978 yards and 31 touchdowns. He was named MVP in the 2021 Big 12 Conference championship, taking down Oklahoma State 21-16. But he racked up an extensive list of injuries as well.
In 2022, he was kept out of a game due to an MCL injury. Then, in 2023, he missed five games due to aggravation of the same MCL. Later that season, he sustained a season-ending head injury. He did not get a medical waiver for any of those injuries.
Shapen entered the Baylor program in 2020. In that freshman season, he saw no action and was redshirted. This brings into question whether or not Lebby can actually achieve a medical waiver for his most recent injury, to preserve a year of eligibility. Lebby has applied for that waiver and remains optimistic. “Since he did just play in the four games, we feel good about that working out for us,” Lebby said in a press conference last week. “We’ve had conversations, me and him, his parents as well. So, feel good about that happening the way we want to.”
Which Shoulder Was It?
There is no question Shapen has a competitive drive. His desire to stay on the field is a testament to his durability while at Baylor, and State. Concerning the shoulder injury that sidelined him for the season, he was evidently injured first by his own player. In reviewing the video of the game, tackle Makylan Pounders was pushed back into him. But Shapen got up and continued his drive. He had a first down at the Florida 15 as he kept moving, but was taken to the turf again. This time he stayed down longer than usual before being helped up. It was then that he seemed to be flexing his right shoulder. The drive ended with a fumbled pitch, but his shoulder was clearly affected.
It has been hard to find information about which shoulder was actually affected, but it does pose one of those burning questions. Surgery to his right shoulder might affect his passing arm, should he come back for an additional year. Will he be affected, eligibility or not?
Quarterback of the Future?
True freshman Michael Van Buren Jr., or MVB as the fans have come to call him, replaced Shapen for the remainder of the Florida game. On his first series, he drove the Bulldogs down on a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive with all the swagger of a starting quarterback.
In his first collegiate start against Texas the following week, he faced down 100-thousand loud Longhorn fans as if he’d been there a hundred times. On a 12-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter, Van Buren defiantly shot a horns-down hand gesture about 12 feet from opposing fans. He’s already showing the confidence a coach, and the fans are looking for in a quarterback.
Fast forward to next season. Imagine Shapen has gotten his additional year of eligibility and Van Buren continued to impress the remainder of 2024. Granted, those are a lot of hypotheticals, however, the question would be whether Lebby will be inclined to continue with the six-year senior, or with Van Buren, the future of his program. A lot of water has to flow under that bridge before that question can be answered, but perhaps it is on the head coach’s mind.
More Questions than Answers
Van Buren will get another start in the upcoming game against No. 5 Georgia. The team had a week off in preparation for that game and hopefully will get some of their starters back from injury. But, five of their next seven opponents are still nationally ranked, and in all likelihood, State has the potential of finishing with a worse record than last year. Many fans may have written off 2024, and are looking ahead to next season. But whatever the future holds, Shapen still plans to help the team in any way he can this year.
Two days after learning he’d have to undergo surgery to end his season, the Shreveport, LA native was back in the Bulldog football facility. He was already getting into a rehab routine, participating in the quarterback room, and helping out Van Buren with his Texas prep.
Lebby says that he will still lean on Shapen for that intangible element of the team. “For him, it’s just a reflection of exactly who he is,” Lebby said. “I couldn’t be more proud that I get to coach him every single day as we walk through this thing and he gets it cleaned up. He’ll be a huge part of the rest of the season just because of his leadership, his toughness, and his edge. He’s got such great respect from his teammates, and that’s a testament to who he is.”
