Thankfully, this time, Kiffin’s words carried a different kind of weight. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart delivered some big news in the most genuine way possible on Friday. Taking to social media, Dart announced that he’s holding off on the NFL Draft for now to first finish the Gator Bowl business against Duke Blue Devils on Jan. 2. Oh, and he sure sprinkled in some love for his teammates and excitement to Hotty Toddy in their upcoming bowl clash. It wasn’t just an announcement; it was a love letter to Rebel Nation that caught the attention of his vocal head coach, Lane Kiffin.

Lane Kiffin, being the son of longtime NFL DC Monte Kiffin, didn’t let that moment slip by. The Ole Miss head coach shared his Senior QB1’s post on X and let the world know exactly how much his services and he as a person mean to the team. “This is so perfect!! Ultimate leader every day by example. Completely selfless. He didn’t just write that down and post it. He lived it every day. We are blessed to have you as a teammate,” Kiffin wrote. That’s high praise from a former signal-caller who’s seen his fair share of quarterbacks and criticism.

Coach K almost became public enemy No. 1, a few days ago, after finishing No. 16 in the CFP rankings with 9-3. He complained about the committee, including SMU over his Ole Miss team and other SEC squads in the playoffs. Garnered image tarnishing replies for being a bad sport from FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt leading the fury to even high-profile celebrities. But this moment felt different.

Jaxon Dart, in turn, made his announcement more than just a formality. His message could make any grown man cry. “I CAN’T WAIT to put on that #2 Ole Miss jersey for one last ride with my guys before beginning preparation for the 2025 NFL Draft,” This is just a teaser of his long heartfelt letter. “As always, I promise to leave every ounce of what I’ve got on that football field one last time for Ole Miss.”

The Senior passer has played three seasons at Ole Miss and set the school record of 10,213 career passing yards to surpass school and NFL legend Eli Manning (10,119). And in the 26-14 win in the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State. The dual-threat’s showed his impact came with his legs rushing for 77 yards. As the game ended, #2 shared a long embrace with Lane Kiffin. He even cried a little. And after the pressers, the two went to lit up the victory cigar in the middle of the field on the big Rebels logo.

He said there were a lot of “lasts” this week as he went through preparations, and “The biggest word I could use is gratitude, Said Jaxson.

Lane Kiffin sees a son in his dart thrower

Kiffin and Dart have not been shy about their appreciation for one another as this Ole Miss season has neared its end. The father-son like duo was seen venturing in the middle of the field in an empty field for an emotional embrace. It was a candid moment as the 49 year-old didn’t even realize that the camera was rolling, said if you have a son, you want him to be like Dart. “I just wanted to find (Dart) and just tell him how much I appreciate him,” Kiffin said. “He said he loved me and started crying,” him being the coach tried to stop him but sometimes you just let thing be.

“It really wasn’t a planned thing,” Kiffin added more after the Egg Bowl. “I usually walk off pretty quick.” Praising Dart, who is even a better person than a dart thrower to his wideouts. “That’s a lost generation in college football now,” the former USC coach said of him being vulnerable.

For a man who’s often seen as the joker in the college football world, this was coach K, at his most earnest, proving that even the most boisterous personalities have moments of heartfelt reflection.