TRANSCRIPT: Q and A from Jim Rome Show with Ole Miss Quarterback Jaxson Dart

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart joined sports radio host Jim Rome earlier this afternoon to discuss his decision to come back and play for the Rebels this season, his thoughts on the town of Oxford, and his relationship with head coach Lane Kiffin, what he’s seen from the team so far this fall, and more.

Here’s a transcript from the show:

Q: You’ve outscored the opposition 128-3, did you expect to be annihilating teams the way you have so far this year? 

A: “Yeah, I think so. Quite honestly, I think it’s the work we’ve put in this offseason, and we hold ourselves to a high standard so we feel like we can go out there and put up points against anybody in the country.”

Q: You completed your first 24 passes, can you describe what it feels like when you’re in a zone like that? 

A: “I think you described it perfectly, you kind of just get in the zone, the game starts to slow down a lot for you, and you’re able to just find a rhythm. I think once you’re able to find that, the other guys around you feed off of it, and everybody just starts executing at a really high level, it’s almost like it’s really contagious. It is a great spot to be in, and hopefully I can find it for the remaining games this season.”

Q:Was there anybody on the sidelines telling you that you were getting close to breaking the SEC completion record? 

A: “Quite honestly, I had no idea what the record was, I didn’t even know what the school record was. I was just kind of in the moment of the game playing ball out there. I saw a few times when the stats flash across the screen when you’re able to see where you’re at and your line, ‘Dang, having a good day so far,’ but it wasn’t really until after the game when I found out that I broke the record and what not.”

Q: What were the biggest reasons that you chose Ole Miss?

A: “I think going into it the biggest thing for me was I wanted to play in the SEC. I wanted to play against the best competition in the country and play against the best players. I think the coaching staff that I committed to is the best in the country, and I just knew ultimately that I was going to be developed. I saw what they did with Matt Corral before me, who was a Southern Cal kid and did really great things here, and I kind of wanted to follow that and try to come make an impact at this school and make some noise around the country.”

Q: What is life like as a student and football player in the SEC after spending time in California?

A: “Quite honestly, I had no idea what to expect. I had to look at where Mississippi was on the map you know I’m from Utah. Coming from LA to Oxford, it’s honestly like polar opposites with having the big city, people weren’t really in tune with college football, it was more about all the celebrities and what was going on there, there’s just so many things going on in LA. When you compare it to Oxford, I feel like the football is the biggest thing in Oxford, so everybody really just supports it, it’s a lot of fun, there’s a ton of excitement around the program, the tailgating, and the gameday atmospheres are pretty electric, so I think those are kind of the biggest differences that I’ve seen.”

“I had no idea what to expect. Honestly, I had to look up where Mississippi was on a map.”⁰⁰@JaxsonDart on his career-altering transfer from USC to Ole Miss. pic.twitter.com/1fqu8UZNkB

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) September 10, 2024

Q: What is your relationship like with Lane Kiffin, and what’s it like to play in his offense?

A: “Coach Kiff is one of my best friends. He’s a lot of fun, you hit it spot on that he’s authentic and he’s true to who he is. It’s a pleasure playing for him, and I think the guys in the locker room have a ton of fun. Whether it’s on the pickleball courts or on the football field, he’s the same competitor, and his drive to win is something that I’ve really fallen in love with and taken to heart as something that I want to follow. I think from a football mindset he’s one of the best offensive minds in the country, schematically and using his players in the best way possible to win football games. I’ve learned so much from him in my time here and really credit a lot of my successes towards him.”

.@JaxsonDart on his special relationship with HC Lane Kiffin. pic.twitter.com/97bjrJaxc5

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) September 10, 2024

Q: How much junk does he talk on the pickleball court?

A: “Jesus. Just like you can imagine, it doesn’t stop. He has to, I would say he’s not the best pickleball player, but he plays with the best players, so he always finds a way to be competitive.”

Q: What brought you back to Oxford for another season?

A: “I think the biggest thing was the momentum that we had going into this next season and just the conversations I had with guys in the locker room. I feel like we had a ton of guys who were on that bubble of deciding whether to return or go to the league, and I think ultimately we’ve had so much fun here, we’ve had a ton of success, and we feel like we could do something that has never been done here at Ole Miss in a very long time, so I think all of those things kind of came into play. I had a great circle around me of family and people that really helped me see things through and make the most of my decision. Just really grateful for them and to be in the spot that I’m in this year. I think that we have a great chance to do what we set out to do when we first got here.”

Q: Given the goals of winning the SEC championship and the National Championship, how competitive do you expect the SEC to be?

A: “Well, I think everybody knows that SEC football is the best, so I love hearing that. I think everybody at this school and around this country in the SEC just loves competition, so we look forward to each and every week playing ball, playing against the best. It’s going to be a lot of fun on this back stretch to see where everybody lines up, and I think that we definitely are the most competitive conference, so it’s going to be fun to see how things shake out.”

Q: Where do your calmness and collectiveness come from?

A: “I think that I’ve had a lot of experience playing different sports in high-pressure situations, and I’ve kind of just had a nack of being able to weather the storms around me and try to just be calm like you said. I think that’s the best way, especially as a quarterback, to kind of rally the guys around you and put your best foot forward anytime that you’re in an adverse situation. I think that I’ve had a lot of experience by now, and I think the biggest thing is you can’t get too high, you can’t get too low, and I’ve experienced that a lot in college football, just all of the emotions, and I think that the more that I’ve matured, I’ve kind of been able to mature that way.”

Q: Have you got the Heisman trophy in the back of your mind?

A: “I’ve got a natty in the back of my mind.”

I asked @JaxsonDart if he had the Heisman on his mind. His answer? 👀 pic.twitter.com/3JNbfqc6Rt

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) September 10, 2024