Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart limited to begin spring following offseason procedure
OXFORD, Miss. — As Ole Miss football began spring practices Wednesday, Rebel quarterback Jaxson Dart was limited as to how much he could participate.
According to head coach Lane Kiffin, Dart did throw in seven-on-seven drills and threw some routes on air.
“But he did have an offseason procedure and he’s very limited movement-wise,” Kiffin said.
Back at it 🎯@JaxsonDart | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/1zx4h9BZpB
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) March 6, 2024
Dart, who is entering his third season as the starting quarterback in Oxford, threw for 3,364 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. He helped lead the Rebels to an 11-2 season, the first time the program reached the 11-win mark in school history.
Additionally, Dart only threw five interceptions in all of 2023.
When asked if he had a timeline on Dart’s full return from injury, Coach Kiffin said he did not yet know.
“It is good that it’s a lower-body issue and he can still throw in the seven-on-sevens,” he said. “I think he’ll continue to get back.”
With Dart’s role somewhat limited this spring, greater opportunities exist for Walker Howard and Austin Simmons to work with the Ole Miss offense.
”Every cost has a benefit,” Kiffin explained.
“And, that benefit is the other people getting getting reps and being able to play a lot. And in that absence, I think, Walker (Howard) and Austin (Simmons) — even coming back from playing baseball, coming over here — have done a great job.”
Lane Kiffin
Although Coach Kiffin didn’t go into detail and list any names, he did note that Dart isn’t the only Rebel player out due to injury recovery.
”A lot of injuries, offseason surgeries, which gives an opportunity for a lot of other guys to be able to play out there. So, we’re definitely not at full strength, which is fine because we don’t play games right now.“
Lane Kiffin on injuries
David Walker
David Walker was named Louisiana’s High School Player of the Year at just 16 years old and, at 17, became college football’s first quarterback to earn Freshman of the Year honors. He remains the NCAA’s youngest-ever starting quarterback, a distinction that has stood for decades.
Transitioning from a wide-open high school offense to Emory Bellard’s renowned wishbone triple option, Walker excelled as a dual-threat quarterback. He graduated as Texas A&M’s all-time winningest quarterback and served as a two-time team captain, helping to transform a program that had endured 15 losing seasons in the previous 16 years.
After his playing career, Walker coached and taught algebra at six Texas high schools before moving into private business. In 2011, he published his memoir, “I’ll Tell You When You’re Good,” a title inspired by the coaching philosophy of Shannon Suarez, the Sulphur High and Louisiana High School Hall of Fame coach who was a significant influence on Walker’s life and career.
Walker’s compelling storytelling in his autobiography reflects the breadth of his experiences in high school and college football, and it is an undeniable fact that he saw more action than any athlete in the history of the NCAA. Since 2013, he has contributed to The Rebel Walk, sharing his insights and expertise with readers.
