Report: Lane Kiffin names Jaxson Dart Ole Miss starting QB

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has his man. The 48-year-old coach is expected to start Jaxson Dart on Saturday against Mercer, according to Chris Low of ESPN.

Jaxson Dart

The role wasn’t easily earned. After Jaxson Dart tallied 2,974 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2022, he seemed like the future of Ole Miss football. After all, the 6-foot-2 QB started in 12 of Ole Miss’ 13 contests last season.

Nonetheless, Dart wasn’t perfect. He threw 11 interceptions and struggled in the back half of the season, contributing to the Rebels’ five-game losing streak to close the year. Despite previous praise, the shortcomings left room for questions at quarterback. Kiffin entertained these questions when he brought in Spencer Sanders.

Spencer Sanders

Former Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders decided to join Ole Miss in January. As a four-year starter, Sanders boasts priceless experience. Sanders threw for 9,553 yards and 67 touchdowns for the Cowboys. Additionally, Sanders racked up 1,956 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground.

In 2021, Sanders led Oklahoma State to the Big 12 Championship, falling to Baylor 21-16. Sanders followed up the standout season with another Herculean effort in 2022. Despite missing three games, Sanders collected 2,642 yards and 17 touchdowns. With Sanders behind center in 2022, the Cowboys went 7-3. Without him, the team went 0-3.

Walker Howard

While most outsiders’ eyes were drawn to Sanders and Dart, they weren’t the only ones in the race. Former LSU QB Walker Howard joined the Rebels in January, as well. While Walker didn’t possess the same experience as the other two candidates, he had something they didn’t: an enticing future.

In two appearances as a freshman at LSU, Walker Howard threw for 33 yards. Although the numbers aren’t impressive, they provide an important revelation. Howard did not play enough to burn his redshirt year. Thus, he has four years of eligibility left. Nonetheless, Kiffin will seemingly save the eligibility for the future.

Lane Kiffin gives his thoughts

While the starter is decided for Ole Miss’ season opener against Mercer on Sept. 2, that starter could change. Kiffin simply wanted to ensure the Rebels have a name selected before the season begins.

“I would prefer for (the position battle) not to (carry into the season),” Kiffin said during his Media Day press conference. “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. 

“There are times, at least two I can remember, where we’ve gone into a season not knowing for sure. So we’ve used some games, our first game, to help gather information to make the decision. Because it is, obviously, you don’t have preseason games, so it is hard to judge. People make the wrong decision all the time, even with preseason games at the next level.”