Florida State transfer QB Luke Kromenhoek was a big addition for Mississippi State out of the portal last December. The former Top 5 QB prospect was a talented pick-up for the Bulldogs, who needed another arm on the roster.
Kromenhoek's old fanbase has kept close tabs on him since his transfer, and since learning that he's had a minimal role in Starkville, FSU fans have been quick to suggest his decision to transfer backfired. Our colleagues at Chop Chat pointed out his lack of opportunities and production here early in the season as an example of the grass not always being greener.
There's a key part of this many Florida State fans are failing to understand, though...
Luke Kromenhoek was never supposed to be Mississippi State's 2025 starter
While it's easy to assume that every QB that hits the portal is looking to be a starter right away, that wasn't the case with Luke Kromenhoek. Otherwise, he never comes to Starkville.
That's because it was well-established that Blake Shapen was QB1 for the Bulldogs in 2025. Ever since Shapen was granted a medical waiver to return for another season, it was known he would be leading the offense. Even if former Bulldog, now LSU Tiger, Michael Van Buren had not transferred, Shapen was going to be the guy.
Kromenhoek knew this. So why did he come to Mississippi State? Because Jeff Lebby's reputation with QBs is strong, he's a good fit for what Lebby likes to do offensively (a more ideal system for him than FSU OC Gus Malzahn's), and in 2026, he'll have a shot to compete for the starting job.
Now there's no ignoring the fact the Bulldogs' true freshman Kamario Taylor is widely-regarded as the future face of the program. The assumption is that he'll take over next season. But that isn't set it stone.
While Taylor has had packages to get on the field early in the season, technically, Kromenhoek has been the QB to enter the game when State has gone to its second-string. It's fair to think that if Blake Shapen went down with injury, Luke Kromenhoek is who Jeff Lebby would turn to. After all, the experience Kromenhoek gained as a freshman at FSU is a big reason why he was a valuable addition to the room. And that experience playing in big spots is something Kamario Taylor doesn't yet have.
Those two are going to battle for the starting job next offseason, and for all the justified excitement in Starkville for Taylor, Kromenhoek is plenty talented too. He'll get a fair shot. And he understood that shot would come in 2026 when he made the move.
It's easy to understand why 'Noles fans would think Luke Kromenhoek's plan backfired on him, as they're not going to be aware of the actual situation in Starkville. But he didn't ruin his career by leaving FSU and landing at Mississippi State.