Lane Kiffin confirms Jaxson Dart will return for senior year

As a junior, Jaxson Dart could declare for the NFL Draft if he chooses to do so. He’s in the midst of a big second year at Ole Miss after transferring from USC, and he could go pro if he wants.

According to Lane Kiffin, though, Dart is planning to run it back.

“I guess I can kind of speak for him, he’s said he’s coming back,” Kiffin said on Reb Talk Thursday night. “So we’re planning on him being back next year and getting better.”

Through 10 games this year, Dart is already closing in on last season’s numbers, totaling 2,579 yards and 16 touchdowns to help Ole Miss to an 8-2 record. He also cut down on his interceptions as that number fell from 11 last year to five so far this year and came in at No. 14 on On3’s Top 25 QB Rankings entering Week 12.

Last week against Georgia, though, Dart struggled against a strong Bulldogs defense. He completed just 10 of 17 passes for 112 yards before leaving with an injury, which meant Spencer Sanders had to enter the game at quarterback.

When asked about Dart’s status — even though he doesn’t talk much about injuries — Kiffin said his quarterback is doing well and the plan is for him to suit up this week against Louisiana-Monroe.

“He’s fine,” Kiffin said. “So, he’ll play.”

More on Jaxson Dart

Dart has settled in to the starting quarterback role well at Ole Miss after transferring. Upon his decision to leave USC, he came in as the No. 10-ranked transfer to hit the transfer portal during the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings.

Kiffin recently reflected on Dart’s recruitment and what stood out to him during the transfer process, and he said Dart jumped off the film right away.

“I just thought his high school film, extremely competitive and could make so many plays,” Kiffin said, via OM Spirit’s Ben Garrett. “Then start as a freshman at USC says a lot. Very close relationship with Clay Helton, so talked to Clay through that process about him. Just really enjoyed his visit here. 

“Meeting him and how serious he was about football and thought he’d do a great job here.”

Ole Miss is in the final stretch of the regular season, starting with this week’s game against Louisiana-Monroe. The Rebels will then close things out with the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State on Thanksgiving before finding out their bowl assignment.