Rebel Roundabout: Ole Miss’ Dart named to preseason watchlist for Maxwell Award
Ole Miss senior and third-year starting quarterback Jaxson Dart was one of 80 players in college football named Monday to the preseason watchlist for the Maxwell Award.
Fifteen players were selected from the SEC. The Maxwell is awarded each postseason to the College Player of the Year since 1937.
Dart is coming off the best season of his career. He led Ole Miss to its first-ever 11-win season and was a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award.
Dart completed over 65 percent (233 for 358) of his passes for 3,364 yards and 23 touchdowns. He only threw five interceptions, tied for the fewest in a single season in Ole Miss history with at least 200 attempts.
He rushed for an additional 389 yards and eight scores on 119 carries.
“He’s got more weapons, and he’s going to be another year better in the system,” On3 national CFB analyst JD PicKell said of Dart last week. “He’s going to operate at a higher level, which is saying something, and push the pedal to the metal.
“Buy the Jaxson Dart hype. Darty season all season in Oxford.”
The Maxwell will announce its semifinalists November 12.
The three finalists follow November 26, with a winner announced on December 12.
Dart ranked Top 20 nationally in yards per attempt (eighth, 9.4), yards per completion (10th, 14.4), total offense (16th, 288.7 YPG) and total passing yards (20th, 3,364). His 2023 output included finishing second all-time at Ole Miss in passing efficiency (162.4) and yards per attempt (9.4).
He was third in completion percentage (65.1), third in yards per completion (14.4), fourth in total touchdowns responsible for (31), tied for fourth in 300-yard passing games (5), fifth in passing yards (3,364), fifth in total offense (3,753) and sixth in passing touchdowns (23).
Dart currently sits third in school history in passing efficiency (153.0), yards per attempt (8.8) and yards per completion (13.8). He’s fourth in completion percentage (63.8), fifth in passing yards (6,338), fifth in total offense (7,341), tied for sixth in passing touchdowns (43), tied for sixth in 300-yard passing games (7), tied for sixth in total touchdowns responsible for (52), seventh in completions (459) and 10th in attempts (720).
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— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) July 29, 2024
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OLE MISS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ADDS ANOTHER
Ole Miss women’s basketball continues to strengthen its roster despite the start of the fall semester rapidly approaching.
Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin announced Monday the Rebels have signed Fatumata Djaló from Aviero, Portugal.
“We’re truly excited about Fatu joining our family,” McPhee McCuin said. “Fatu is a combo guard and has had a lot of experience with international play. She’s a great defender and will be a positive addition to our roster.”
Djaló broke out last summer for Team Portugal at the 2023 U18 women’s European Championships in Hungary.
Djaló, a forward, averaged 11.4 points over seven games. She scored 20 against Finland. Djaló has led Portugal over the last past month at the U20s in averaging a team-best 10.0 points. She scored a personal, tournament-best 17 points against Latvia.
Djaló is the third freshman to join the Rebels for 2024-25. She joins Heloisa Carerra of Brazil and Sira Thienou of Mali.
Djaló’s one of six newcomers, while the Rebels roster eight returners for McPhee-McCuin, who’s entering her seventh season. Ole Miss will be ins each of its fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance next season.
