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Blake Shapen
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Blake Shapen (born January 21, 2001) is an American college football quarterback who plays for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He previously played for the Baylor Bears.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Shapen grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana and attended Evangel Christian Academy.[1] He passed for 2,049 yards with 24 touchdowns and five interceptions and also rushed for 324 yards with five touchdowns.[2] Shapen committed to play both baseball and football at Arizona State over offers from Ole Miss, Arizona, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Arkansas State, but later de-committed.[3] He later committed to play at Baylor as a two-sport athlete.[4]
College career
[edit]Shapen redshirted his true freshman season.[5] He entered his redshirt freshman season as the backup to starting quarterback Gerry Bohanon. Shapen saw his first serious playing time late in the season in a 20–10 win against Kansas State after Bohannon suffered a hamstring injury.[6] He made his first career start the following week against Texas Tech and completed 20 of 34 pass attempts for 254 yards and two touchdowns in a 27–24 victory.[7] Shapen also started the 2021 Big 12 Championship Game and was named the game's MVP after passing for 180 yards and three touchdowns in a 21–16 win over Oklahoma State.[8][9] He finished the season with a 72.1% completion percentage for 596 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions.[10]
Shapen won the starting quarterback job for 2022 during spring practices.[11]
On November 27, 2023, Shapen announced that he would be entering the transfer portal.[12] On December 8, he announced that he would be transferring to Mississippi State to play under head coach Jeff Lebby.[13]
On September 21st 2024, Shapen suffered a broken scapula in his right shoulder during the fourth quarter of Mississippi State’s week 4 game against Florida.[14] The injury and subsequent surgery would keep him out for the remainder of the 2024 season. He was also granted a medical redshirt.[15]
Shapen would return for the 2025 season. Despite leading the Bulldogs to an upset win over No. 12 Arizona State in Week 2 and leading the team to a 4–0 start, the Bulldogs would slide to a 5-6 record before Shapen was benched for of the Egg Bowl against rival Ole Miss. The Bulldogs finished with a 5-7 record on the season.
Statistics
[edit]| Season | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |||
| 2020 | Baylor | 0 | 0 | — | Redshirt | ||||||||||||
| 2021 | Baylor | 6 | 2 | 2–0 | 62 | 86 | 72.1 | 596 | 6.9 | 5 | 0 | 149.5 | 21 | 59 | 2.8 | 0 | |
| 2022 | Baylor | 13 | 13 | 6–7 | 233 | 368 | 63.3 | 2,790 | 7.6 | 18 | 10 | 137.7 | 76 | 96 | 1.3 | 2 | |
| 2023 | Baylor | 8 | 8 | 2–6 | 184 | 298 | 61.7 | 2,188 | 7.3 | 13 | 3 | 135.8 | 67 | 29 | 0.4 | 4 | |
| 2024 | Mississippi State | 4 | 4 | 1–3 | 74 | 108 | 68.5 | 974 | 9.0 | 8 | 1 | 166.9 | 34 | 36 | 1.1 | 2 | |
| 2025 | Mississippi State | 11 | 11 | 5–6 | 195 | 303 | 64.4 | 2,433 | 8.0 | 15 | 8 | 142.9 | 111 | 28 | 0.3 | 3 | |
| Career | 42 | 38 | 16–22 | 748 | 1,163 | 64.3 | 8,981 | 7.7 | 59 | 22 | 142.1 | 309 | 248 | 0.8 | 11 | ||
References
[edit]- ^ Watson, Jimmy (November 22, 2017). "Evangel's Blake Shapen puts LSU on hold". Shreveport Times. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ Werner, John (February 5, 2020). "Introducing the newest Baylor Bears". Waco Tribune-Herald. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ Gardner, Michelle (December 5, 2019). "Arizona State football: Quarterback recruit Blake Shapen decommits". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ Werner, John (February 3, 2020). "QB Shapen commits to Baylor". Waco Tribune-Herald. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ Mohr, Dani (December 4, 2021). "Who is Blake Shapen? Baylor freshman QB leads Bears to upset, Big 12 title". Sporting News. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ "Shapen up nicely: Bears feel confident in freshman QB's ability, offensive direction". Waco Tribune-Herald. November 23, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ Hawkins, Stephen (November 27, 2021). "No. 9 Baylor in Big 12 Title Game After Win Over Tech, Oklahoma State Win". NBCDFW.com. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ "Shapen starts as Baylor QB for injured Bohanon in B12 game". The Seattle Times. December 4, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ Axon, Scooby (December 4, 2021). "Big 12 championship: Baylor upsets Oklahoma State, ends Cowboys' shot at playoff". USA Today. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ Jeyarajah, Shehan (April 27, 2022). "Baylor turns to Blake Shapen at QB for 2022 season as incumbent Gerry Bohanon enters transfer portal". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ Khan Jr., Sam (April 26, 2022). "Baylor's Blake Shapen named starting QB for 2022: Source". The Athletic. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ Goodman, Joe (November 27, 2023). "Blake Shapen Entering Transfer Portal". Our Daily Bears. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
- ^ Kurup, Sahil (December 8, 2023). "Mississippi State football lands Baylor QB Blake Shapen from transfer portal". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ Sklar, Sam; read, Mississippi Clarion Ledger·2 min (September 22, 2024). "Mississippi State football QB Blake Shapen out for season with shoulder injury". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Sklar, Sam (June 30, 2025). "Blake Shapen reveals details about injury that ended Mississippi State QB's season after four games". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved September 11, 2025 – via Mississippi Clarion Ledger.
External links
[edit]Blake Shapen
View on GrokipediaEarly life and high school
Upbringing
Blake Shapen was born on January 22, 2001, in Shreveport, Louisiana.[12] He grew up in a family deeply immersed in sports, as the son of Ken and Pam Shapen, with older brothers Vaughn and Kyle who both pursued baseball, Vaughn advancing to play collegiately at Middle Tennessee State University.[13] From a young age, Shapen was exposed to competitive athletics, beginning organized baseball at age four and playing extensive travel ball, including up to 62 or 63 games in a single year during his early years.[13] Shapen's early development was shaped by key influences beyond his family, notably his elementary school teacher at Shreve Island Elementary, known as "Mrs. Carla," an educator who emphasized the importance of discipline and personal values, leaving a lasting impact on his character and work ethic.[14] As a two-sport athlete, he quickly excelled in both football and baseball, but baseball initially dominated his youth, where he emerged as a middle-school phenom recruited by Southeastern Conference programs such as LSU and Mississippi State.[13] In high school at Evangel Christian Academy, Shapen's baseball skills as a shortstop—with advanced, clean actions, fluid footwork, and right-handed throwing—positioned him as a strong candidate for the MLB Draft straight out of high school, earning national rankings including No. 4 infielder in Louisiana by Perfect Game.[15][13] Despite this prowess and early scholarship offers in the sport, Shapen transitioned to prioritize football while retaining interest in baseball, initially planning to pursue both at the collegiate level, as evidenced by his oral commitment to Arizona State University for dual-sport participation in 2019.[16]High school career
Blake Shapen attended Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he played under head coach Byron Dawson. As a dual-sport athlete, he excelled in both football and baseball during his high school tenure, culminating in his senior year of 2019. In football, Shapen served as the starting quarterback, leading the Eagles to a 6-5 record. He threw for 2,049 yards and 24 touchdowns while throwing just five interceptions, and added 324 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. For his performance, he earned first-team all-district honors as a pro-style quarterback.[17][2] In baseball, Shapen played as a switch-hitting shortstop and third baseman, showcasing premium bat speed, soft hands, and plus arm strength that projected him as a top defensive prospect. He was ranked as the No. 1 player in Louisiana's 2020 class by Prep Baseball Report and No. 47 nationally, while Baseball America listed him at No. 371 overall in its 2020 MLB Draft rankings. Shapen was selected to the 2019 Under Armour All-America Game at Wrigley Field and participated in the USA Baseball development program, drawing significant MLB scout interest as a potential early-round draft pick. Despite this attention, he prioritized football in his college plans.[18][19][17] Rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN (No. 22 pro-style quarterback nationally, No. 16 in Louisiana) and a three-star by 247Sports and Rivals, Shapen received offers from 11 programs, including Arizona State and TCU. He committed to Baylor University in early 2020 as a two-sport athlete, intending to play both football and baseball, though MLB draft projections ultimately influenced his focus on football. His high school career highlighted his leadership and versatility, contributing to Evangel's competitive showings in northwest Louisiana.[20][21][22]College career
Baylor Bears (2020–2023)
Blake Shapen joined Baylor University as a true freshman in 2020 after committing from Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana.[23] He redshirted the entire season, preserving a year of eligibility while learning the offense behind starter Gerry Bohanon.[23] During this time, Shapen focused on development, appearing in only two mop-up situations without recording any statistics.[6] In 2021, as a redshirt freshman, Shapen emerged as a key contributor, appearing in six games and making two starts after Bohanon's injury.[23] He completed 62 of 86 passes for 596 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions, achieving a 72.1% completion rate and a 149.5 passer rating.[6] His most notable performance came in the Big 12 Championship Game against Oklahoma State, where he started and passed for 180 yards and three touchdowns, earning MVP honors and setting a conference and AT&T Stadium record with 17 consecutive completions in a 21–16 victory that clinched Baylor's first Big 12 title.[23] These efforts helped the Bears finish 12–2 and advance to the Sugar Bowl.[6] Shapen solidified his role in 2022 as the full-time starter, leading the team in all 13 games to a 6–7 record.[6] He threw for 2,790 yards on 233 of 368 attempts (63.3% completion), with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, topping the Big 12 in completions, attempts, and passing yards.[6] Despite a midseason head injury sustained in a loss to West Virginia on October 13 that impacted his performance afterward, Shapen played through the setback without missing games.[24] For his efforts, he earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors from the coaches and First-Team Academic All-Big 12 recognition.[23] The 2023 season proved challenging for Shapen and Baylor, which finished 3–9.[6] He started all eight games he appeared in, completing 184 of 298 passes for 2,188 yards, 13 touchdowns, and three interceptions (61.7% completion, 135.8 rating).[6] Early in the year, Shapen suffered an MCL injury in his knee during the season opener against Texas State on September 2, sidelining him for the next three games as he recovered over two to three weeks.[25] Later, on November 11 against TCU, he sustained another head injury that left his status uncertain for the finale, though he had already missed no additional contests.[26] Shapen was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list preseason, recognizing top upperclassman quarterbacks.[27] Over his Baylor tenure, Shapen started 23 games, compiling 5,574 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions with a 63.7% completion rate and 138.3 efficiency rating—ranking second in school history for completion percentage, seventh for passing touchdowns, sixth for efficiency, and third for yards per attempt (8.4).[23] He also earned four Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll selections for academic excellence.[23] Following the disappointing 3–9 campaign and the firing of offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes on November 26, Shapen entered the transfer portal on November 27, seeking a fresh start amid staff changes while head coach Dave Aranda was retained.[28]Mississippi State Bulldogs (2024–present)
Following his entry into the transfer portal after four seasons at Baylor, Blake Shapen committed to Mississippi State on December 8, 2023, drawn by the opportunity to play in head coach Jeff Lebby's offense, renowned for its high-tempo, explosive passing schemes that emphasize quarterback mobility and downfield production.[7][29] Shapen opened the 2024 season as Mississippi State's starting quarterback, appearing in the first four games and completing 68.5% of his passes for 974 total passing yards (243.5 yards per game) while adding 36 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[2] His campaign was derailed on September 21, 2024, during a 45-28 loss to Florida, when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury requiring surgery; he missed the final eight games but earned a medical hardship waiver, preserving his eligibility.[30][2] Cleared to return for his senior year in 2025 after the waiver, Shapen has anchored the Bulldogs' offense through all 10 games as of November 19, 2025, completing 64.4% of his passes for 2,433 yards, 15 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.[1] A breakout moment came in a September 6 non-conference upset, where he threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning 58-yard strike to Brenen Thompson with 30 seconds left to secure a 24-20 victory over No. 12 Arizona State.[31] In SEC play, he has adapted to the conference's physicality under Lebby, showing improved timing and chemistry with receivers despite challenges like frequent sacks and a game-losing interception in an October 18 homecoming loss to Florida.[32][33] In the November 15 loss to Missouri, he threw for 199 yards but had two interceptions while adding a rushing touchdown, starting his 10th consecutive game despite minor injury concerns earlier in the week. His resilience, honed from prior injuries at Baylor, has fueled a leadership role in the quarterback room, stabilizing the unit alongside freshmen like Kamario Taylor and fostering team cohesion amid a rebuilding defense and the team's 5-5 record aiming for bowl eligibility in Lebby's second year.[34][35][36]Career statistics
Baylor statistics
During his three seasons as Baylor's primary starting quarterback from 2021 to 2023, Blake Shapen appeared in 27 games, passing for 5,574 yards and 36 touchdowns while rushing for 184 yards and 6 scores.[6] His Baylor career totals rank him eighth in program history for passing yards, seventh for passing touchdowns, second for completion percentage (63.7%), third for yards per attempt (7.4), and sixth for passing efficiency (138.3).[23]Passing Statistics
Shapen's passing performance improved steadily, with his 2022 season marking a breakout year where he led the Big 12 in completions (tied for third) and ranked fourth in passing yards.[6]| Year | Games | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Yards | Yards/Attempt | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | 62 | 86 | 72.1 | 596 | 6.9 | 5 | 0 | 149.5 |
| 2022 | 13 | 233 | 368 | 63.3 | 2,790 | 7.6 | 18 | 10 | 137.7 |
| 2023 | 8 | 184 | 298 | 61.7 | 2,188 | 7.3 | 13 | 3 | 135.8 |
| Career | 27 | 479 | 752 | 63.7 | 5,574 | 7.4 | 36 | 13 | 138.3 |
Rushing Statistics
Shapen contributed modestly on the ground, with his rushing touchdowns peaking in 2023 despite limited net yardage due to sacks and designed runs.[6]| Year | Games | Carries | Yards | Yards/Carry | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | 21 | 59 | 2.8 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 76 | 96 | 1.3 | 2 |
| 2023 | 8 | 67 | 29 | 0.4 | 4 |
| Career | 27 | 164 | 184 | 1.1 | 6 |
Efficiency Metrics
Shapen's adjusted yards per attempt (AY/A) reflected his ball security, particularly in 2021 when he threw no interceptions. His career AY/A of 7.59 underscored efficient decision-making, ranking third in Baylor history. Passer ratings above 135 in each season highlighted consistent performance under pressure.[6][23]| Year | Adjusted Yards/Attempt | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8.09 | 149.5 |
| 2022 | 7.34 | 137.7 |
| 2023 | 7.76 | 135.8 |
| Career | 7.59 | 138.3 |
Game Highlights
Shapen's single-game peaks at Baylor included 345 passing yards and 2 touchdowns against Oklahoma State in 2022, 4 passing touchdowns against Kansas State in 2023, and 3 passing touchdowns in the 2021 Big 12 Championship Game against Oklahoma State.[37][38][39]Mississippi State statistics
Blake Shapen played in four games during the 2024 season for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, serving as the starting quarterback before an injury sidelined him. In those appearances, he demonstrated efficiency in the passing game while contributing minimally on the ground.[5]2024 Season Statistics
Passing
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 4 |
| Completions/Attempts | 74/108 |
| Completion Percentage | 68.5% |
| Passing Yards | 974 |
| Yards per Attempt | 9.0 |
| Touchdowns | 8 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 166.9 |
Rushing
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Carries | 34 |
| Rushing Yards | 36 |
| Yards per Carry | 1.1 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 2 |
2025 Season Statistics (as of November 19, 2025)
Passing
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 11 |
| Completions/Attempts | 195/303 |
| Completion Percentage | 64.4% |
| Passing Yards | 2,433 |
| Yards per Attempt | 8.0 |
| Touchdowns | 15 |
| Interceptions | 8 |
| Passer Rating | 142.9 |
Rushing
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Carries | 111 |
| Rushing Yards | 28 |
| Yards per Carry | 0.3 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 3 |
Selected Game Highlights (2025)
| Date | Opponent | Passing (Cmp/Att, Yds, TD-INT) | Rushing (Car, Yds, TD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 4 | @ Texas A&M | 15/20, 142, 1-1 | 7, -36, 0 |
| Oct 18 | @ Florida | 24/36, 324, 0-1 | 10, 1, 0 |
| Oct 25 | Texas | 26/42, 381, 4-0 | 15, -39, 0 |
| Nov 1 | @ Arkansas | 16/28, 242, 2-1 | 10, 16, 0 |
| Nov 8 | Georgia | 10/15, 86, 0-0 | 9, 15, 0 |
| Nov 15 | @ Missouri | 19/33, 199, 0-2 | 17, 16, 2 |
Career Mississippi State Statistics (2024–2025)
Combined Passing and Rushing
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | Career MSU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 974 | 2,433 | 3,407 |
| Rushing Yards | 36 | 28 | 64 |
| Total Offense Yards | 1,010 | 2,461 | 3,471 |
| Total Touchdowns | 10 | 18 | 28 |
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