USC’s Jaxson Dart and Michael Trigg among Ole Miss visitors this weekend, pair arrives in Oxford
After entering the NCAA transfer portal, USC quarterback Jaxson Dart and tight end Michael Trigg caused quite a stir at several college campuses this week.
The two former On3 consensus four-stars were immediately contacted by the likes of LSU, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, TCU and others.
Ole Miss tight ends coach John David Baker recruited both for the Trojans before taking the job in Oxford, and sources tell the Ole Miss Spirit head coach Lane Kiffin had a Zoom meeting with Dart soon after he announced his intentions to leave the Trojans program.
Things began to move quickly once they were officially in the portal on Wednesday after the 48-hour window closed, with Ole Miss setting up a tentative visit schedule for the weekend.
However, the Sooners quickly got into the picture and got the first crack at hosting the pair from USC. On Thursday, On3 Sports’ Jeremy Crabtree reported TCU had entered the picture and was vying to host Dart, too. But as of late Friday evening, sources believed the chase to be a two-team race between Oklahoma and Ole Miss.
Now sources indicate Kiffin and staff are preparing for Dart and Trigg to both arrive on Saturday at the Memphis International Airport. Dart and Trigg have arrived.
The two will be potentially joined in Oxford by Oregon’s DJ James and Alabama’s Javon Baker, though there’s pessimism regarding James. Baker could be on commitment watch.
Dart and Trigg are former roommates at USC and close friends who seemingly are be interested in playing together at their next stop. Furthermore, industry sources believe Trigg and his father seem to be enamored with Kiffin’s usage of the tight end in his offenses. From OJ Howard at Alabama to Harrison Bryant at FAU, Trigg seems to be very interested in learning more about a potential role in Ole Miss’ offense with Kiffin calling the shots.
Now that the talented duo from USC has arrived on campus, Ole Miss’ staff will have to prove that they can close on a few offensive prospects.
Chris Partridge and his defensive staff have done a phenomenal job in the 2022 cycle, high school and portal, closing on wanted prospects. Since the December signing period ended, the Rebels have added Auburn’s Ladarius Tennison, Iowa State’s Isheem Young and Central Michigan’s Troy Brown. Those three will certainly factor in to the starting lineup for the 2022 defense.
On the other side of the ball, though, the Rebels have really struggled to close in the portal. LSU’s Deion Smith, who seemed like a lock to end up in Oxford, has academic hurdles that might ultimately keep him in Baton Rouge; Wyoming’s Isaiah Neyor took a visit to Ole Miss but seems destined to stick with his commitment to Tennessee; and receiver targets Jadon Haselwood, Kobe Hudson and Trey Palmer have all committed elsewhere.
For a program known for its offensive prowess, it is somewhat concerning Ole Miss has struggled thus far to secure commitments from high-profile transfers.
But with Dart and Trigg in town, Ole Miss will have 48 hours to rectify this trend and replace several 2021 playmakers that have now left the program.
