When Jeff Lebby was hired at Mississippi State, one of his biggest priorities was getting a quarterback who could run his system and help lay a foundation for the program in year one. He turned to Baylor transfer Blake Shapen.
It was an ideal match. Lebby got an experienced QB capable of playing at a high-level with a skillset that translated to his offense. Shapen, meanwhile, got to play in a wide-open offense and learn from one of the nation's best QB coaches to close out his college career. They'd have one great year together and both be better for it.
But sometimes life, and football, has other plans. The Bulldogs got off to an ugly start to the 2024 season, and in just the fourth game of the year, Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. State spiraled to a 2-10 debut under Lebby while Shapen watched from the sidelines.
It wasn't the 2024 either of them wanted or expected, but now a year later, it's possible they're better off for it. Shapen was granted an extra year of eligibility because of his injury, allowing him to return to MSU and get a second year under Lebby, and his coach believes having that second year in the offense will allow him to flourish in 2025.
“As hard as it was going through, what we went through, being year two in the offense and being able to come back, man, I think he’s got a chance to have a great year."
In a year where Jeff Lebby needs his program to take a significant step forward, having a QB that's now experienced in his system, even having played just four games the prior year, is incredibly valuable. And according to Lebby, the track record for second-year QBs in his offense has been good.
“It’s a huge advantage...Inside this system, regardless of where I’ve been, who I’ve coached, you look at the quarterback in year two of the system, and it’s been a huge, huge jump."
Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel saw a massive leap in production from 2022 to 2023. Ole Miss' Matt Corral took significantly better care of the football in 2021 compared to 2020. The hope is now that Blake Shapen can make similar strides. And despite limited playing time last season, Shapen says he feels much more comfortable with Lebby's scheme going into the fall.
“The biggest thing is the X’s and O’s piece in the system of the offense...I feel like last year I was very focused on the offense. This year I have a lot of opportunity to lead other guys and get guys in spots.”
Jeff Lebby's offense is proven to get results, and now Shapen is comfortable in it. Combine that with the flashes he showed in those first four games last year, and there's plenty of reason to think that he can truly thrive. But there is the elephant in the room.
Blake Shapen has gotten injured in three of his four previous seasons playing college football, with last year being the most severe. Some of that is purely bad luck. Some of it comes back to a bit of a fearless, and perhaps reckless, playing style while carrying the ball. Either way, Shapen recognizes that his health has to be a priority for what will officially be his final season.
"For me, just staying healthy. That's the first thing that comes to mind. I want to be able to play a full season of college football. I haven't been able to do that since like 2022, so that's the biggest goal for me."
Assuming Shapen can stay healthy, all signs point to him having a stellar season in Starkville. He's got exciting pieces around his on offense and looks to have a better group of lineman in front of him. Mississippi State's overall ceiling in 2025 may be limited because of questions on defense and a brutal schedule, but their signal-caller is set to experience quite a bit of success.