Ole Miss set to have one of the top QB rooms in the nation in 2024
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and his staff have assembled arguably the best quarterback room in the nation over the past two years, and it appears that it will stay this way for as long as the Lane train is rolling in Oxford. With that being said, let’s take a look at why this room is so special.
Jaxson Dart
Though many are familiar with the 6-foot-2 gunslinger and his high-performing capabilities, we do need to recognize that he’ll be playing in an improved offense filled with players who possess some of the best talent in the country. Between gaining four offensive linemen in the portal, having one of the best receiving corps in the country, and carrying several tight ends who are going to free up the middle of the field, the options will be open for Jaxson in 2024.
Good Morning… 2024👀 pic.twitter.com/osbR1jP1GE
— Jaxson Dart (@JaxsonDart) January 1, 2024
Through two years at Ole Miss, Dart has thrown the fifth-most passing yards (6,338) in the history of the university, only behind Chad Kelly (6,800), Matt Corral (8,287), Bo Wallace (9,534), and Eli Manning (10,119). If Dart maintains his health and, at the very least, replicates his 2023 statistics, he would finish roughly 500 yards away from Manning.
Jaxson will have a chance to make all sorts of history this season in Oxford. He’s currently tied for third in the Heisman odds via Circa Sports, with the top five all quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference.
NEW: 2024 College Football Heisman Odds via @CircaSports🏆
🐶 Carson Beck +700
🤘 Quinn Ewers +700
🐯 Garrett Nussmeier +1200
🦈 Jaxson Dart +1200
🍊 Nico Iamaleava +1200
🙌 Cam Ward +1500
🐘 Jalen Milroe +1500
🌰 Will Howard +1500More: https://t.co/DsGVcjgRkb pic.twitter.com/V3kSvBBN1g
— On3 (@On3sports) February 29, 2024
Walker Howard
Howard was a 2022 high school prospect out of Louisiana who originally attended LSU but transferred to Ole Miss last January after redshirting his freshman year. It’s likely that Walker will be competing with Austin Simmons this spring for a QB2 role heading into the fall, eventually leading up to a QB1 battle for the 2025 season.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with Howard as his dad, Jamie Howard, played quarterback for LSU and is still in the Tigers’ top 10 for all-time passing yards. Prior to his college career, the former five-star Walker also led his sophomore and junior high school teams to Louisiana D1 state championships. The leadership and intangibles that Walker holds paired with his throwing and running abilities, are second to none.
Hotty Toddy🔴🔵 @OleMissFB @Lane_Kiffin #committed pic.twitter.com/Ua7hmehq9p
— Walker Howard (@Walker_Howard4) January 18, 2023
Austin Simmons
Ole Miss fans are well aware of Austin Simmons, who was originally part of the 2025 recruiting class. In June of 2023, Simmons rocked the college football world and announced he would be flipping from Florida to Ole Miss while jumping ahead to the 2023 recruiting class, making him eligible to enroll at Ole Miss this past fall.
Austin Simmons deep ball OMG 👀‼️ Dude is going to be a star pic.twitter.com/UvLXVZoJxv
— WA🅾️Ⓜ️ (@WAOM_) December 27, 2023
To make matters even more astonishing, Simmons also announced he would be playing baseball. Up to this point, the southpaw has pitched four innings for the Diamond Rebels while allowing just one run and striking out six. His fastball has also topped out at 94 mph.
Back-to-back Ks for @austnsimmons ‼️@OleMissFB x #RebsBSB pic.twitter.com/lEKX0yFEzx
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 28, 2024
As I mentioned above, Simmons and Howard are going to have several quarterback battles over the next two years, and I am curious to see who will win them. Additionally, it’s also going to be interesting to see if baseball has any effect on Simmons’ ability to practice football at the rate he would like.
AJ Maddox
The true freshman out of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, recently won his high school team (Oak Grove) the 7A Championship game over Starkville inside of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Maddox stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 175 pounds.
Anthony (AJ) Maddox, Jr. is officially an Ole Miss Rebel!
The 4-star QB, who flipped to the Rebels from A&M, is from Hattiesburg, Miss. He sent in his letter at 8:22 a.m. Welcome home, @Anthonymaddoxjr! #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/YSHojowncM
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) December 20, 2023
He carries a massive arm with quick feet underneath, making him the perfect candidate for a Lane Kiffin offense. It’s clear from the current quarterback situation, he’ll likely redshirt his freshman year, but there is no doubt that big things are ahead for Maddox.
The two other quarterbacks listed on the roster are redshirt freshman Deljay Bailey and sophomore Braden Waterman, two extremely talented options for the Rebs.
Be sure to stay tuned with The Rebel Walk for all of your Ole Miss sports needs and more!
