Jaxson Dart's future at Ole Miss still unclear as 'no decision' has been made
Thursday brought about an early celebratory mood within the Ole Miss fan base as head coach Lane Kiffin revealed a positive update on quarterback Jaxson Dart’s future with the program.
Kiffin answered a question pertaining to Dart during his weekly Reb Talk appearance by saying that the latter is planning to return next year for his senior season.
But the brakes have been pumped less than 48 hours later after Kiffin and Dart each set the record straight following the Rebels 35-3 win over ULM.
During Kiffin’s post game press conference he clarified his comments from two days prior and walked backed some of the absolutes in his statements.
“I probably shouldn’t have said that,” Kiffin said. “That was a conversation between me and (Dart) and I kind of got caught off guard on saying that. I made sure right after I left the restaurant I said that to him because that’s not really my position to really say. When he’s ready to talk to you guys about that he will.”
Dart got his chance to speak immediately following Kiffin and the junior quarterback also doused the fire that started following the comments on Thursday.
With two games remaining this season — Egg Bowl on Thursday and a bowl game in a little a month from now — Dart’s focus is trying to lead Ole Miss to its second 10-win regular season in three years and a potential first 11-win season in program history.
“To be honest I haven’t really decided yet,” Dart said. “He kind of just said that to put positive vibes out there. I’m still going to go through this year. I haven’t really focused on making that decision as of right now. Got a lot of football left to play and once everything’s over I’ll make that decision.”
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Dart played his final game with Ole Miss in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for 2023 with a 300 yard and three-touchdown game.
Most of the production came in the second half as the Rebels managed only seven points in the first half of a game they were favored by nearly 40 in.
All three of Dart’s touchdown passes came in the third quarter. Tre Harris, Caden Prieskorn and Dayton Wade were the recipients with Wade’s 58-yard catch the highlight of the three.
Ole Miss was not struggling moving the ball in the first half but could not finish drives. A missed 50-yard field goal attempt by Caden Davis, a pair of turnover on downs and a punt were the results of the other first half possessions outside of Ulysses Bentley IV’s 14-yard touchdown run.
“I was super frustrated,” Dart said. “Especially because it was senior night and you want to play good for those guys with all the work that they’ve put in. That first half was definitely frustrating. We had a lot of guys speak up in the halftime locker room and that really helped guys focus back on track.”
The Ole Miss offense outscored ULM 28-0 with 299 total yards of offense in the second half after being held to 199 yards in the first two quarters.
