Source: Latest intel on prized transfer quarterback Jaxson Dart

Former USC Trojans quarterback Jaxson Dart could be headed to Oxford to play with the Ole Miss Rebels. Dart received a crystal ball prediction from 247Sports’ Chris Hummer on Thursday, who noted that sources indicate the Rebels “are in good shape.” However, Hummer also shared Oklahoma and BYU are still recruiting Dart hard.

Jaxson Dart is second behind only former OU quarterback Caleb Williams in On3’s transfer quarterback rankings. As a true freshman in 2021, Dart started three games for the Trojans this past season.

He played in six games total, finishing with 1,353 yards passing, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. His best game came on Sept. 18 against Washington State, as he threw for a season-high 391 yards and four touchdowns.

Prior to joining USC, Dart earned several accolades while playing for Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah. He was named the 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year, Max Preps National Player of the Year, and Sports Illustrated All-America first team. Corner Canyon claimed a 6A title his senior season as Dart broke the Utah state record with 67 passing touchdowns.

A four-star recruit, Dart chose the Trojans over offers from Iowa State, UCLA, Yale, and others. Most of the programs recruiting him were near the West Coast. He was the No. 45 overall prospect in the 2021 class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Ole Miss in the lead

Ole Miss is in need of a starting quarterback for the upcoming season with Matt Corral set to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL draft. He helped the Rebels to finish as the top offense in the SEC (and No. 6 in the country), throwing for 3,343 yards and scoring 31 total touchdowns. They reached 10 wins for the first time since 2015 and just the third time since 2000.

If Jaxson Dart chooses Ole Miss, he will join Lane Kiffin for his third season in Oxford. The coach seems to have the program moving upward, and landing a player of Dart’s caliber would only add to the anticipation for next season.

Joel Klatt explains theory on Jaxson Dart USC departure

Jaxson Dart’s decision to leave the USC Trojans and enter the NCAA Transfer Portal came as a shock to some. Lincoln Riley is known for his strong work with developing quarterbacks. Dart seemed to be next in line when USC hired Riley. However, Dart decided to head elsewhere, and another quarterback could be the reason why.

FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt believes that Dart’s decision had less to do with Lincoln Riley, and more to do with the fact that the starting job might not have belonged to him much longer.

“So Jaxson Dart enters the transfer portal. Okay, there is zero reason for a quarterback to transfer away from Lincoln Riley other than he lost his job,” Klatt said. “Because the track record for Lincoln Riley with quarterbacks is too good. There’s nobody else out there doing what he’s doing at this point.

“It’s unmatched when Jalen Hurts is going to the playoffs with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Kyler Murray is doing what he’s doing with the Cardinals. And my favorite, Baker Mayfield has totally transformed the Browns organization even though he gets no credit whatsoever on a show like this. The track record for Lincoln Riley is exquisite in the modern college football for developing players to go to the National Football League.”

On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this report.