Lane Kiffin Speaks on Scrimmage Performances, Jaxson Dart’s NFL Preseason Debut

OXFORD, Miss. — On Saturday, the Rebels completed their first scrimmage of fall camp. Now, on Monday, Lane Kiffin provided the media with some time, followed by defensive back Antonio Kite and offensive lineman PJ Wilkins.

Coach Kiffin discussed his team’s scrimmage performance Saturday, areas that need improvement, and what he thought of Jaxson Dart’s performance. Here are all the major points that Kiffin made on Monday as the Rebels push through fall camp.

Defense won the scrimmage

“I thought the defense came out with really good energy, especially after the first drive and did some really good things and made some really good plays,” Kiffin said. “Good pass rush that created some turnovers, good plays in the secondary.”

The defense, which had some questions surrounding it heading into the fall, simply because they lost so much talent to the NFL, seems to be producing at a high level. As more information and looks become available, it appears the deeper the team gets into fall camp, the more the defense is proving that it might be the leading contributor to the Rebels’ success for the 2025 season.

Ole Miss linebacker Suntarine Perkins was named to the Bednarik Award watch list Monday. This comes days after linebacker Tyler Banks was announced as the Chucky Mullins Courage Award winner by Coach Kiffin.

The secondary has been receiving praise, but the defensive line is proving to be a force. It also seems as though the linebacker room may be the strongest area of the Ole Miss defense. With a new quarterback leading the offense this year, the defense will have to stay consistent as the offense attempts to work through early struggles.

QB Austin Simmons’ scrimmage performance

“Yeah, he made some critical errors and rebounded and played well later on,” Kiffin said. “So that was, I look at the big picture, that’s good, for it happened because he really hadn’t had many critical errors the entire camp.”

To be honest, it’s just too early to make judgments and decisions. It’s early, and Simmons is facing a new situation; he needs time to learn. Simmons struggled through scrimmage; he made some bad decisions and some poor throws. But it’s important to note that in the scrimmage Saturday, he was without two starting offensive linemen — and there’s also the fact that defensive coordinator Pete Golding and his staff are doing a great job with the defensive unit. They could very well be quite formidable.

Suntarine Perkins’ performance throughout camp

“Coming back from injury, love the way that he practices, prepares,” Kiffin said. “Great for our young players to see. Actually had to pick-six for a touchdown, interception return for a touchdown to start our two-minute drill Saturday.”

Perkins is unquestionably a leader for the defense, being one of just four returning starters on the team, and just one of two on defense. He was named Monday to the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award, an award given to the college football Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. He’s also been named a preseason All-American and named to the Nagurski Award watch list.

Perkins has the potential to be a force for the Rebels in 2025 as he’s coming back from injury. Ole Miss fans should get an exciting watch when the defense is on the field this year, especially with Perkins and Banks in the backfield.

Great performances like his during scrimmage are what give teams momentum, especially the defense. It is also very important to have players like him and Banks on the team to provide younger players with leadership examples.

If Ole Miss can continue to grow on the defensive side of the ball, while also keeping its image as a team with a high-powered offense, then it won’t be long before the Rebels are consistently fighting for a national championship.

Former Rebel QB Jaxson Dart’s NFL preseason debut

“He’s doing really well and played well, and he’s really enjoying it,” Kiffin said. “Talked about his relationships with the other quarterbacks there, I shared that with our quarterbacks today about how a united room, helping each other, can be so beneficial. It’s great to see him play well.”

It was nice to see a former Rebel perform through the first week of NFL preseason. Dart put on a strong performance as he threw 12-19 for 154 yards and a touchdown. He also recorded three rushes for 24 yards.

Dart’s performance was solid, and he could very well fight for a starting spot in the near future. He has competition, but as Kiffin said, a united room will help everyone be successful, and hopefully Dart’s success will come sooner rather than later.

As for the current Rebels, the team will need to implement the advice and work of Dart and others, maintaining good relationships and staying united to ensure success for the upcoming season.