Who Has The Edge At QB1 For Rebels Entering Game Week?

Spencer Sanders and Jaxson Dart remain in a tight race entering Week 1 of the new season.

What is Lane Kiffin looking for in Ole Miss' starting quarterback a week before Mercer arrives at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium? 

Is it better poise in the pocket? Quicker timing with the release of the pass? More consistency when throwing under pressure? 

Whatever the x-factor Kiffin seeks in his QB1, it hasn't been shown enough in practice between Jaxson Dart and Spencer Sanders leading up to a 1 p.m. kickoff against the Bears next weekend. The battle continues going into next week, but there's a countdown clock now added to the mix. 

Kiffin, who enters his fourth season with the program, did say he would name a starter before Week 1, but mentioned that he wouldn't reveal which passer won the bout if he was uncertain of their status. So far, Dart and Sanders have caught the coach's eye during the scrimmage, but not enough for him to pull the trigger on determining a clear-cut candidate. 

"I think we’re in a great position with multiple guys that can go into a game and help us win," Kiffin said Tuesday. 

Experience can come in many forms, and it certainly means something different when discussing which quarterback should take first-team reps next week to open the season. Sanders is the more accomplished all-around player, having spent four seasons at Oklahoma State's starter under Mike Gundy, where he threw for over 9,500 yards and totaled 85 TDs. 

But Dart has Kiffin's system locked down after starting all 13 games for the No. 22 Rebels in 2022. He already won a quarterback battle in Oxford, having beaten out now-Illinois start Luke Altmyer last season for the position. 

"He's a great quarterback," Memphis transfer tight end Caden Prieskorn said earlier this week. "I just feel like his arm talent has been showing a lot throughout camp. With him being more of a leader throughout workouts, it shows who he is."

Throughout the spring, Dart took nearly all the first-team reps. Credit, Sanders was dealing with an injury that put him on a rep count in practice, but the time away from the field opened the door for the junior to build a rapport with the expected starting receivers. 

Little details to Dart's game improved throughout fall camp, but it helps when working with starters. The former USC transfer is throwing literal darts to Harris, UTSA transfer Zakhari Franklin, Prieskorn and running back Quinshon Judkins out of the backfield. Sanders will mix in, but he's spent time also taking reps with the second-team offense. 

Players have noticed improvements in Dart, too, mentioning his maturity and consistency being elevated in practice. 

“That’s the biggest thing for me. Being able to go out there and run the offense like a quarterback," said receiver Jordan Watkins. "That’s the biggest improvement I’ve seen from him. Just being able to go out there and play with confidence.”

While Dart has the accolades from teammates, one can't rule out Sanders. The former Pokes' star bet on himself to win the starting job for a team that feels ready to contend for its first division title in what will be the last year of divisions in the SEC. 

And again, experience matters. Sanders has played in 43 games during his four-year stay in Stillwater. That's given him the benefit of playing under various situations, including working behind an inexperienced offensive line and inconsistent receivers. 

"Spencer’s probably started as many as anybody in the country," Kiffin said. "It’s challenging, but it’s an awesome obstacle to have, to have that battle like that.”

Wins matter in sports, and Sanders has plenty of them. He's 31-12 all-time as a starter and likely would have tallied a few more victories if not for a shoulder injury that sidelined him for three games last fall. Sanders also led the Pokes to the Big 12 title game in 2021 and nearly a College Football Playoff berth in the process. 

The past likely factors in Kiffin's decision, but it won't be the deciding factor in his outcome. The Rebels will trot out whoever gives them the best chance to improve on an 8-5 season. 

And it could be a week-by-week process, depending on what happens after the first whistle blows. 

"It's been good to see," receiver Jalen Knox said earlier this month. "Spencer has been coming along and Dart looks like a whole different quarterback this year, I can't lie. It's definitely been fun to watch." 

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