Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart ‘finishing what he started,’ which came as no surprise to Lane Kiffin
Record-setting, third-year Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart announced on social media on Monday he was playing in the Gator Bowl.
The news didn’t come as a surprise to fifth-year head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin, whose Rebels finished the 2024 regular season 9-3 (5-3 SEC), had known for days.
“Probably last week I asked him was he playing,” Kiffin said Tuesday. “Told him possible bowls we were hearing, with Gator being one of those. He said he was definitely playing and wanted to play his last game with these guys.”
Dart this season passed Eli Manning to become the new Ole Miss all-time passing leader. He’s second in career touchdowns (68). Dart is poised to pass Matt Corral for the single-season record for yards per pass attempt. Dart’s at 10.7. Corral averaged 10.2.
Dart is fourth in the nation in passing yards (3,875). He won the Conerly Trophy last week. The Conerly is handed out annually to Mississippi’s best college football player.
“He encouraged some of those other guys that are kind of in that in-between position of playing or opting out for the draft,” Kiffin said. “Seems like the majority of those guys are heading towards playing in this game. Pretty neat.
“He’s been an amazing leader. Set a bunch of records here, but how he’s been as a leader and how he’s been for this university has been awesome. This is another example of it, making sure he finishes what he started.”
RELATED: Lane Kiffin on relationship with Jaxson Dart: ‘The way you want your son to be’
Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos has a first-round NFL Draft grade from Pro Football Focus.
However, Amos has already announced he’s playing, too. Wide receiver Jordan Watkins and safety Trey Washington made similar announcements on ‘X,’ the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
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The Ole Miss Spirit’s Chuck Rounsaville reported Monday night Ole Miss defensive linemen Walter Nolen and Jared Ivey, offensive tackle Micah Pettus and running back Ulysses Bentley, IV, could all skip the Gator Bowl.
Kiffin, though, believes the Rebels are trending more towards no opt-outs.
“Our players are excited,” Kiffin said. “It’s a while until we play but it seems like our players that maybe were in question of playing and opting out for the draft, as of right now, all have said they’re playing. That’s exciting and I think that says a lot about this team, in an age where that isn’t the case a lot of times.”
No. 14 Ole Miss takes on Duke (9-3, 5-3 ACC) on January 2, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. CT in Jacksonville Florida.
“Manny’s done an unbelievable job in only one year there,” Kiffin said of the Blue Devils and head coach Manny Diaz. “On defense Top 5 in a number of categories and create a lot of chaos by the way they play up front. Typical for wherever Manny’s been.
“They do a great job on defense to create a lot of problems. Our players are excited. We’re excited to get down there. Initial reaction from our players was great about it.”
