Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart capped off his collegiate career with flair, leading the Rebels to a resounding 52-20 victory over Duke University in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Thursday night. The game, which took place at EverBank Stadium, shattered previous records for both Dart and the school, affirming the standout quarterback's legacy as one of the best to don the Rebels' colors.
During this decisive bowl game, Dart completed 27 of 35 passes for 404 yards and four touchdowns, solidifying his place as the all-time leader for Ole Miss in several categories, including passing yards and total offense. With this latest performance, he increased his career passing yardage to 10,617 yards, surpassing icons such as Eli Manning, who had previously held the record with 10,119 passing yards.
The Gator Bowl victory was more than just another win; it set the tone for Dart's expected transition to professional football. His total offense record now stands at 12,117 yards, allowing him to become only the fourth quarterback in Southeastern Conference (SEC) history to surpass the 12,000 total yard mark, joining the ranks of Aaron Murray, Drew Lock, and Tim Tebow.
Coach Lane Kiffin remarked on the significance of the victory, stating, "If the goal was to prove we deserved more consideration for the College Football Playoff, we made our case tonight." Dart's performance conveyed not just individual talent, but also illustrated Ole Miss' position on the national stage.
Throughout his time at Ole Miss, Dart has shown consistent excellence, leading the team to modern-era quarterback wins totaling 28—more than any other player, including both Manning and Bo Wallace, who each recorded 24 wins.
Statistically, Dart had impressive records not only for his career but also for single-season performances, breaking Chad Kelly's 2015 records for most passing yards (4,042) and total offense (4,542) in one season. This year, Dart finished with 4,279 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, completing nearly 70% of his passes.
Despite not receiving the same level of national attention as other quarterbacks projected for the NFL 2025 Draft, such as Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, Dart's skills have nonetheless caught the eye of NFL scouts. One anonymous scout captured Dart's potential succinctly: "He's gonna be a major steal in the draft. Throws the ball down the field as well as anyone, which I realize is kinda this lost skill in today’s game, but that's what makes him interesting. Get Dart a couple speed guys and he can really hurt you," he said, highlighting Dart's ability to make significant plays.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has also recognized Dart's potential, placing him at the seventh spot on his draft board of quarterbacks for this year’s NFL Draft. Dart's overall achievements have positioned him favorably as he aims for success at the next level.
The 2024 season for Dart did not just showcase aerial excellence; he also added 43 yards on the ground against Duke, underscoring his dual-threat capability, which could translate well to the professional level. His varied skill set—combining passing prowess with mobility—opens up opportunities for the Rebels quarterback, now preparing to vie with some of the best talent heading to the NFL.
With this latest performance, Jaxson Dart leaves Ole Miss with numerous school records and personal achievements, most significantly after adding to his legacy during one of Ole Miss's most notable bowl victories. He will now look forward to the next chapter of his career, where expectations will certainly remain high after such a stellar collegiate run.