Ole Miss has a storied lineage with quarterbacks. The great Archie Manning once donned the iconic red and blue jersey. He set a plentitude of records in his time down in Mississippi. Later, the honor passed on to his youngest son. Eli Manning’s tenure with the Rebels was a resounding success. He still holds the all-time record for the most passing yards for the program, with 10,119. Over 2 decades later, a very worthy successor has laid his claim to the throne. However, Ole Miss fans may not want to acknowledge this in the backwash of their season-ending loss in the Swamp. 

When their SEC rivals, Oklahoma, lost coach Lincoln Riley to USC in 2021, it was a double-blessing for the Rebels. Not only did it weaken a competitor, but it also led to the dominoes falling for Jaxson Dart’s arrival in Mississippi. Dart has been largely amazing for Lane Kiffin-helmed Ole Miss. The former Gatorade player of the year has gotten better each year, statistically and in stature. This season, Dart found himself on the periphery of the Heisman discussion. Playing under offensive-minded Lane Kiffin has elevated Dart’s game. Now, he is right on the heels of Eli Manning.

During the Week 13 game against the Gators, Jaxson Dart breached 10,000 passing yards for the Rebels. He is now on the cusp of the record. Fans would’ve hoped he did it during the game itself and propelled the team to a necessary victory. But alas, it will have to wait. 

Dart broke the school record for single-game passing yards and TDs just a couple of weeks ago. This involved a clinic entailing 515 yards and 6 touchdowns en route to a 63-31 thrashing of Arkansas. Ah, the good old days before the brutal overarching scenario that just surfaced for the Rebels. Jaxson Dart is individually affected as well.

The morbid reality of the situation is that Dart, a senior, just went from a guy preparing for a playoff run to now counting his days as a college athlete. With their CFP ambitions now looking bleak, Dart probably has 1 or 2 more opportunities to line up for his school. How quickly things turn in this sport.

Florida Gators pin down the proverbial nail in Rebels’ coffin

The Gators’ resurgence in recent weeks was much publicized. It was quite apparent that while DJ Lagway lines up under center, the team is a threat to anybody. This notion presented itself once again, to the dismay of Ole Miss fans all across. After the high of beating Georgia merely 2 weeks ago, the Rebels have fallen facedown into the abyss. Lane Kiffin’s comments earlier in the week came right back to bite him.

A 24-17 loss in Florida all but seals Kiffin and his outfit’s fate for this season. So close to the finish line, Ole Miss just wasn’t able to jump over the penultimate hurdle. To add insult to injury, Jaxson Dart turned into a shell of himself down the stretch. He threw 2 picks and another that was recalled as their season spiraled out.

With 1 more regular season game left, plus a bowl game, Dart is bound to cross Eli Manning in the pecking order. He’ll likely do it in the first quarter of their next game itself. It will be a great corroboration to his overall successful time in Mississippi and act as a testimony of his talent as he heads towards the draft in April. However, the celebrations for the record will now be rather flat.