Charlie Weis Jr. considers factors which will determine Ole Miss quarterback competition

Despite returning 2022 starter quarterback Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin dipped into the transfer portal for Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard, creating a quarterback competition. Now, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Charlie Weis Jr. opened up about what is going to determine that quarterback competition.

Despite that role, Weis Jr. made it clear that head coach Lane Kiffin will make that decision. His role is simply to make sure the players are ready to go.

“I think there’s a lot of factors that go into that,” Charlie Weis Jr. said. “Obviously, at the end of the day, my job is to coach those the best I can and get them playing at the highest level. Then, ultimately, let Coach Kiffin make that decision on who he deems the starter.”

Weis Jr. insisted that it will be Kiffin who decides the starter, not him. At the same time, he does know the factors that are going to go into that decision.

“So, at the end of the day, he’s the one who’s going to have to make that decision,” Weis Jr. said. “But there’s a variety of factors that go into it. Taking care of the football. Explosive plays. Who can operate the offense most efficiently? Who can play with tempo? You know, several factors go into that, and it’s my job to get all those guys to play at their absolute best so Coach can make a decision that he feels very comfortable with.”

One thing that Lane Kiffin has made clear in all of this is that he doesn’t want the competition to stretch into the season.

“I would prefer for it not to,” Kiffin said. “I’ve always said that, I always think it’s better to have your guy. But you don’t want to risk choosing the wrong one.”

Ole Miss wide receivers say Jaxson Dart is a whole different QB

Jaxson Dart started for Ole Miss in 2022 and flashed his talent. However, there was room for him to improve and become more consistent. That’s why the coaching staff brought in quarterbacks to compete with him.

However, according to multiple wide receivers, Dart is a whole other quarterback this year.

“Dart look like a whole different quarterback this year. I can’t lie,” receiver Jalen Knox said. “It’s definitely fun to watch.”

Jordan Watkins added to that, pointing out that his confidence has improved.

“I think I’ve seen a lot of confidence,” Watkins said. “That’s the biggest thing for me. Being able to go out there and run the offense like a quarterback. That’s the biggest improvement I’ve seen from him. Just being able to go out there and play with confidence.”