Jaxson Dart on quarterback competition: ‘I see myself as the starter’
Jaxson Dart is Ole Miss’ returning starting quarterback despite a competition and he wants to keep it that way for the 2023 campaign.
There’s a quarterback competition between Dart and transfers Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard. Head coach Lane Kiffin complimented his returning starting signal caller but didn’t name anyone ahead of the pack.
Dart felt like he was the guy but knew what he had to do throughout spring practice.
“Yeah, to be honest, I just see myself as a starter,” Dart said. “I kind of established myself. Have year two and kind of just getting, you know, more bonds with the guys on the team. Being a leader. So I feel like I’ve taken ownership of that. And I’m just ready to do my job. I’m loving where I’m at right now. I just expect myself to have a great spring and keep performing the way that I’m performing. And yeah, excited to help this team win.”
Last year, Dart played 13 games and finished the season with 2,974 yards, 20 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 62.4% completion percentage.
Without Sanders and Howard in the picture, Dart would’ve been the only scholarship quarterback this season. He was well aware Kiffin would make additions.
“Well, obviously I knew that we needed quarterbacks,” Dart said. “I was the only scholarship quarterback on staff. So usually you would like to have three or four. I just think how things just shook out just ended up being those two, but I was fully aware that we had to have some depth. So I was aware that we were going to take two.”
Kiffin mentioned Dart improved and the quarterback revealed where he took the biggest leap. Dart’s confidence in a quarterback competition could pay dividends.
“I just think my confidence in the system,” Dart said. “I’ve talked to Coach Kiffin about this a lot, as well as coach Weiss and you kind of look at you know, how Matt (Corral) was from year one to year two. And just like his comfortability in the system and how he was able to just operate things.
“For me, that’s kind of what I’m striving for. ‘m striving to have a big year like he did. And so I think, just my knowledge of the game, kind of just being accustomed to this area and this will be year two for me, so just living here and really finding like my group and my crowd. So I’m just really comfortable with where I’m at. And so I think a lot of that has played a tribute to my performance.”