Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart named one of PFF’s Top 10 returning signal-callers in nation for 2024
OXFORD, Miss. — It would not surprise Ole Miss fans to know that Pro Football Focus recently named Rebel quarterback Jaxson Dart one of the nation’s best returning college quarterbacks going into the 2024 season.
PFF has Dart ranked No. 6.
The Rebel quarterback threw for 3,364 passing yards in 2023 with 23 touchdowns against just five interceptions. He also added 391 yards rushing, averaging 3.3 yards per carry, and added eight touchdowns with his legs.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was named the top quarterback after leading the Bulldogs to an undefeated regular season in his first year at the helm.
In the SEC, Jalen Milroe of Alabama comes in at No. 3 and Texas’ Quinn Ewers at No. 5, while Missouri’s Brady Cook sits at No. 10.
PFF Top 10 Returning College QBs
- Carson Beck, UGA
- Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
- Jalen Milroe, Alabama
- Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
- Quinn Ewers, Texas
- Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
- Garrett Greene, West Virginia
- Drew Allar, Penn State
- Noah Fifita, Arizona
- Brady Cook, Missouri
Last season, Dart and the Rebels accomplished something no other Ole Miss team has ever done in program history — won 11 games en route to finishing 11-2 with a Peach Bowl win over Penn State.
Of Dart, PFF writes:
“Dart took a major leap from his sophomore to junior year, improving his PFF passing grade by more than 13 points (75.2 in 2022 to 88.7 in 2023). A major reason for that jump was the significant stride he made when forced outside of the pocket. In 2022, he posted just a 42.8 PFF passing grade outside the pocket, which was 111th among FBS quarterbacks. Dart improved that mark to a 74.6 PFF passing grade this past season, which was 15th in the nation. Overall, his 91.2 PFF grade was tied for sixth among all signal-callers in the country.”
“Lane Kiffin’s system does provide one of the most quarterback-friendly offenses in college football, which at times makes it difficult to separate Dart’s performance from the scheme. On plays without an RPO or play-action, the junior had six big-time throws and six turnover-worthy plays. While that muddies his NFL projection, Dart still has a mastery over Kiffin’s system and is the driving force behind Ole Miss’ College Football Playoff aspirations next season.“
PFF on Jaxson Dart
Dart will have almost his entire offense returning next season, including receivers Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins, tight end Caden Prieskorn, and running back Ulysses Bentley IV. The Rebels have added running back and LSU transfer Logan Diggs and wide receiver Juice Wells, a transfer wide receiver from South Carolina.
Ole Miss also shored up the offensive line by bringing in transfers Diego Pounds (North Carolina), Nate Kalepo (Washington), Julius Buelow (Washington), and Gerquan Scott (Southern Miss.).
Click here for Ole Miss Transfer Portal Tracker.
The Rebels open the 2024 season at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium against Furman on Aug. 31.
(Feature image credit of Jaxson Dart: Ole Miss Athletics)
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
