Where Does Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart Rank Among SEC Quarterbacks Entering 2023?
OXFORD, Miss. -- Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin has not named his starting quarterback for the 2023 college football season, as the team is in the midst of a three-way competition between incumbent starter Jaxson Dart and former transfers Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State) and Walker Howard (LSU).
247Sports, however, recently pegged a starting signal-caller for the Rebels in their latest preseason SEC quarterback rankings. The outlet ranked the 14 best SEC quarterbacks and picked the starters for each program. Dart was selected as the Rebels' starter and was ranked No. 8 in the Southeastern Conference.
Dart was ranked right behind Mississippi State's returning starter, Will Rogers (No. 7).
The full preseason SEC quarterback rankings can be found below.
1. K.J. Jefferson - Arkansas Razorbacks
2. Jayden Daniels - LSU Tigers
3. Devin Leary - Kentucky Wildcats
4. Joe Milton - Tennessee Volunteers
5. Spencer Rattler - South Carolina Gamecocks
6. Carson Beck - Georgia Bulldogs
7. Will Rogers - Mississippi State Bulldogs
8. Jaxson Dart - Ole Miss Rebels
9. Conner Weigman - Texas A&M Aggies
10. Jalen Milroe - Alabama Crimson Tide
11. Payton Thorne - Auburn Tigers
12. Brady Cook - Missouri Tigers
13. A.J. Swann - Vanderbilt Commodores
14. Graham Mertz - Florida Gators
Here is the explanation for Dart coming in at No. 8.
There's a gap between Jaxson Dart and Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders this summer, sources tell 247Sports, so much so that LSU transfer Walker Howard may even be the Rebels' No. 2 at this point. Lane Kiffin brought in both of those players to light a fire of sorts under Dart, whose made far too many mistakes through the air than his coach would like since his arrival. Dart trusts his abilities a bit too much at times, but asking him to scale back his freelance infatuation takes away from the potential of head-turning plays he seems to make in every start. Dart's a gunslinger with a high ceiling who could possibly lead the SEC West in touchdown passes — or interceptions — this fall given the starpower the Rebels have acquired in the portal on the outside.
While many expected Sanders to make a strong push for Ole Miss' starting position in 2023 - due to him being in his final year of eligibility - according to 247Sports, the gap between him and Dart has widened as the summer has progressed. The addition of Howard and Sanders sparked something in Dart, as the junior posited greatly improved mechanics and pocket awareness throughout spring practices.
Dart is poised to make a leap in his second year under Kiffin, similar to how former Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral improved in his second season with the Rebels' coach. If Dart does end up being named the starter, he will get to captain what is set to be one of the most explosive offenses in the SEC this year, headlined by reigning conference Freshman of the Year, Quinshon Judkins.
You can follow Ben King on Twitter at @BKing_2023.
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