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DALLAS – Monday at the Omni Dallas Hotel, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart took the podium at the opening of the 2024 SEC Media Days, answering an abundance of questions about the past, present and future of the Rebels’ team.
Jaxson Dart at SEC Media Days
Embracing the leadership role
Before Dart took the podium, head coach Lane Kiffin spoke in the main media room and took the opportunity to comment on his quarterback’s improvements. Kiffin explained that if there was a rating for leadership, Dart would be a ‘99.’ The Rebel signal caller elaborated on his coach’s comments as he opened his own press conference.
“I was just a part of pretty much every transfer that came to our school through this process. I felt like I was part of the recruiting department, but I think that’s super cool and very genuine of him (Kiffin).”
Jaxson Dart on his head coach’s compliments
Dart talked more about portal recruiting and explained why he feels it’s advantageous. “I feel like the transfer portal recruiting is a lot easier than high school recruiting because they want to understand the more business side of things and also understand, like, what’s my role going to be and how am I going to be used and how are you guys going to use me in this way and this way.”
Dart continued to show why his coaches and teammates praise him, claiming he still takes the same approach even though there is no longer a QB battle in Oxford.
“I think you look back on your experience, back on the things that you’ve had to work through and grow from…it feels good (not being in a QB battle during the summer),” Dart began. “I honestly feel like I’m in the same position. I’m always chasing after something. I always felt like I was the guy here, regardless of who I was competing against…I’m always chasing after something,” Dart continued.
The Rebel quarterback again explained how involved he was in the recruiting of the Ole Miss transfer players. Buying into the program seems to be Dart’s focal point as he navigates another roster full of new faces.
“I mean, it’s obvious college football is in a new day and age. A lot of times you bring in a portal class where half of the contributors are transfer portal guys. There’s got to be a lot of urgency involved in being able to get those guys implemented into the system, into the program, and get people to buy in. I think that’s kind of been my role is just being able to make genuine relationships with the people that we bring in and then at the same time, get them to buy into what we’re doing here.”
Jaxson Dart
A look back at Dart’s career path
Two off-seasons ago as a player at USC, Dart entered the transfer portal as he ultimately decided to part ways with the Trojans after starting a majority of his freshman year. The Utah native found his new home in the Deep South, claiming it was the best decision he ever made.
“I think it’s the best decision that I made. It was a tough decision, because I loved my time there, but I’m very grateful for where I’m at. I’m very grateful to be in this position and to be in Oxford. I think it’s the best decision that I could have made for myself and my development and chasing my dream.”
Jaxson Dart on being at Ole Miss
Many Rebel fans were holding their breath following the conclusion of the 2023 season, not knowing who would leave the program and who would return. Dart made the decision to ‘run it back,’ and the pieces began to fall into place after that.
“To be honest, I made the final decision two days before the Peach Bowl. I kind of rode out that decision as long as I could. I just have a great corner. I have great people surrounding me to help me make decisions like that. I think I just ultimately, I saw the vision that this program had, the possibilities with everybody coming back, and then just the conversations in the locker room and in the facilities. I feel like Ole Miss embraced me and I feel like it was only right to go out for one last dance.”
Jaxson Dart on his decision to return for final season
No Rat Poison
Lane Kiffin preaches one thing a little more than others to his team every season: don’t eat the ‘rat poison.’ Coming off a program-record 11-win season, the Rebels are expected to be a playoff team and Dart is well aware of that. However, the Heisman dark horse explained how this team is taking it one day at a time.
“We don’t look at it that way,” Dart said. “We’re focused on right now and being able to have the mindset of being 1-0 each and every day. Me, Jared (Ivey), and Tre (Harris) worked out this morning before we came here. So just being able to have the approach that everyday matters and everything else will take care of itself.”
Despite the pressure and expectations, the Rebel signal caller did in fact say he enjoys the ‘hype’ that surrounds the program now.
“It’s fun. It’s fun to be a part of,” Dart said. “I think that Ole Miss has kind of been an up-and-down program throughout its time, so being able to be in the position that we are today, I think that contributes to all the people that we have brought in from the coaching staff to the players, and it’s definitely a really fun time to to be an Ole Miss Rebel. I’ve loved my time in Oxford and I love the excitement that goes around right now.”
Setting a standard and building a culture is vital when trying to become a national powerhouse. The 2024 Ole Miss squad plans to do that as Dart explained the daily approach heading into this upcoming season.
“Our standard is just being 1-0 each and every day. We can’t get caught up looking too far ahead. We gotta be in the moment because, like I said, in the SEC if you’re not ready and you’re not prepared every single day, then you can slip up and make a mistake at any given time. We’re focused on the on right now and being able to build this team because we do have a lot of transfers and we gotta get everybody to buy in.”
Jaxson Dart on setting a standard
Anticipating the 2024 season
Ole Miss had the No. 1 ranked portal class, once again, thanks to the “Portal King” and, rightfully so, those transfer players have received a majority of the offseason attention. However, Dart took the opportunity to talk about how many guys they brought back from last year’s squad and just how important that is.
“Everybody talks about our portal class, but I think the biggest strength of our team is the guys that we retained. When you’re able to do that and keep guys from leaving, it just builds a strong culture and it just really creates an environment of growth.”
Jaxson Dart
As expected, the Rebel quarterback received plenty of questions about upcoming opponents in 2024 and which ones he is looking forward to playing. Dart was asked about the 2024 midseason matchup against Oklahoma, as the Rebels welcome the Sooners to the Vaught in Oklahoma’s inaugural SEC season.
“It’s a game that I feel like our fan base is really looking forward to,” Dart said. “It’s gonna be a super electric environment for sure. I’m really looking forward to that game and playing against an elite program.”
Another very anticipated game for Ole Miss in 2024 is the early-season matchup in October against LSU down in Death Valley. The Rebels left empty-handed with a bad taste in their mouths last time they took a trip to south Louisiana in Dart’s first year under Kiffin. He looks to change the narrative this season.
“That’s a great rivalry. Two elite programs going at it. I feel like every time we play against them, it’s a highlight. It’s going to be fun to go back to Death Valley and get another crack at it. I lost there in my first year, so I’m excited to have another chance at it and play in that great environment…”
Jaxson Dart on playing at LSU
With the playoffs expanding to 12 teams this season, the Rebels are seen as a playoff ‘lock’ in some eyes. However, I don’t think the reality of hosting a playoff game in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium has set in yet. Dart explained how special that moment would be.
“I think that will be a special day in Oxford, and I would feel bad for whoever has to come in and play there. Great home-field advantage for us for sure.”
Jaxson Dart on a potential playoff game in Oxford
One of the top QB-WR duos in the SEC a year ago was Dart and his favorite target, Tre Harris. Harris is looked at as one of the top receiver prospects in next year’s draft, and Dart expects his playmaker to have another great year this season.
“Tre (Harris) is a monster. I’m a little biased, but I think he’s the best receiver in the country. Just the plays that he makes and then his mindset each and every day of being able to attack it. There’s nobody else like him. He makes my job a lot easier just being able to get the ball in the air. He’s going to be a monster this season.”
Jaxson Dart on Tre Harris
Continuing the trend of praising his teammates, the Rebel quarterback also commented on the addition of Antwan ‘Juice’ Wells, the transfer wide receiver from South Carolina, and what being around an athlete like him has been like so far.
“Juice (Wells) is a monster. I’ve kind of said this before in other interviews, but I’ve never seen somebody who attacks the day like he does. Whether it’s him going and getting treatment in the training room or him just running routes. He wants to be the best in everything that he does, he’s been kind of battling some injuries this past year and a lot of people forgot about him. I think that he’s really excited to get people to remember who he is, and he’s gonna have a monster season for us.”
Jaxson Dart on Juice Wells
Up Next
Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss Rebels will begin fall camp in just a couple of weeks as they continue to prepare for the very much anticipated 2024 football season.
Stay tuned at The Rebel Walk for more Ole Miss sports updates!
Kameron Wicker
Kam is an undergraduate at Ole Miss, currently pursuing a degree in Journalism. Even though he’s from Delhi, Louisiana, that didn’t stop Kam from growing up a diehard Ole Miss fan. He’s a sports guru who watches and follows all sports at all times. He lettered four years in football and baseball in high school and is an avid Saints, Pelicans, and Astros fan. In his free time, you can find him watching sports or at the rec participating in them.
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