Cant really answer that, I cant find hardly any information on these hybrids at all. The lake I caught it out of has all 3 bass in it. Its the only place that I've believed to catch one. I believe that is the same fish my buddy caught friday night. Same location within 100ft, same coloring, similiar size. I do really believe this is a meanmouth. I'm pretty proficient in telling the difference between smallies, largies, and ky's. It didnt fit any of them.
Also no its not a state project that I've heard of. Couldnt even find anything on MDC about it. I believe just a natural phenomenon.