Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart Honored as One of 16 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes

LAS VEGAS – (Release) Ole Miss football senior quarterback Jaxson Dart was honored as one of 16 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino for the NFF’s annual awards dinner Tuesday night.

Dart earned NFF Scholar-Athlete status automatically by being named a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy – the “Academic Heisman” – which was awarded to Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. The 16 finalists each received an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class.

Dart is the ninth player in Ole Miss history to be named an NFF Scholar-Athlete, joining tailback Steve Hindman (1968), quarterback Norris Weese (1973), offensive tackle Dick Lawrence (1975), quarterback Kent Austin (1985), defensive back Jeff Noblin (1986), offensive lineman Danny Hoskins (1987), tight end and linebacker Wesley Walls (1988), and quarterback Eli Manning (2003).

Dart – who today was also named the first Rebel quarterback to earn Coaches All-SEC first team honors since Eli Manning in 2003 – ranks among the best signal callers nationwide in 2024. Already the winner of the Conerly Trophy and a finalist for the Manning Award, Dart leads the FBS in total offense (360.6 ypg) and passing yards per attempt (10.7), while also leading the SEC and ranking FBS top-10 in passing efficiency (177.7; FBS No. 2), yards per completion (15.6; FBS No. 3), passing yards (3,875; FBS No. 4) and passing yards per game (322.9; FBS No. 4).

On the season overall, Dart owns a 2024 passing line of 249-of-363 (68.6 percent) for 3,875 yards, 25 touchdowns, six interceptions and an efficiency rating of 177.7. On the ground, Dart owns 452 yards and three scores, pushing his total offense to an FBS-leading 4,327 yards. Dart has led the Rebels to a Gator Bowl berth, a No. 14 slot in the final College Football Playoff rankings, a historic win over No. 2 Georgia on Nov. 9, and has Ole Miss on the cusp of its first consecutive 10-win seasons since 1959-60.

This season, Dart has set Ole Miss career marks in wins by a starting quarterback (27), winning percentage by a starting quarterback (.730), total offense (13,064), passing yards (10,213), 300-yard passing games (14) and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,455), and he currently ranks first on the career lists in passing efficiency (161.2) and total offense per play (8.09). As a Rebel overall, Dart owns a passing line of 708-of-1,083 (65.4 percent) for 10,213 yards, 68 touchdowns and an efficiency rating of 161.2.

A native of Kaysville, Utah, Dart is in his third season as Ole Miss’ starting quarterback in 2024 after transferring from USC his freshman season in 2021. In his overall career, Dart is 825-of-1,272 (64.9 percent) for 11,566 yards and 77 touchdowns with a career rushing line of 1,498 yards and 14 scores on 381 carries – making him one of four active FBS quarterbacks at 13,000 yards of total offense at 13,064.

In the classroom, Dart owns a 3.71 GPA as a general business major and is on pace to graduate in May 2025. He has been named to the Chancellor’s and Dean’s Honor Rolls twice each, in addition to appearances on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and the SEC Honor Roll.

Dart’s involvement in the community includes reading at local elementary schools; the Tim Tebow Foundation’s “Night to Shine” prom for special needs high school students; hosting foster children on campus during a Christmas gift giving program; the annual “Feed the Sip” food drive; a Thanksgiving food drive; and assisting with a water collection drive during the crisis in Jackson, Mississippi.

Submitted by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the Campbell Trophy must be either a senior player who will complete his final year of eligibility during the 2024 season or be a graduated player or grad transfer who has already earned a bachelor’s degree and will participate in the 2024 season; must have minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; must have outstanding football ability as a starter/significant contributor; and must have exhibited exemplary leadership on the field, in the classroom and within the community.