It's somehow already been three years since current Ole Miss starting quarterback Jaxson Dart broke the single game passing record for a USC Trojans QB in his debut with 391 yards and four touchdowns. Now one of the few prohibitive favorites to win the Heisman Trophy in 2024, he's at it again breaking new records for the Ole Miss Rebels and Lane Kiffin.
On Saturday, as Ole Miss completely destroyed Furman, Jaxson Dart set a first half record for total yards for the Rebels with 418 passing, 26 rushing, five passing touchdowns, and one touchdown on the ground. It was an almost impossibly perfect performance where Dart tallied more total touchdowns than incompletions. His first half made him the first SEC QB since 2019 Joe Burrow to throw for 350 passing yards in a half, and he crushed that mark by nearly 70.
It was a fast start for Jaxson Dart. And one that certainly puts him on pace to win the Heisman Trophy this fall. Yes, his performance came against an FCS school, but Dart was already a top tier returning quarterback in FBS by most every measure. If he continues to dominate this season he should be right there in the battle for the Heisman and eventually first round NFL Draft capital.
Typically, in this modern era of college football, Heisman Trophy winners need to crack 3700 passing yards, 45 total touchdowns, and over 8 yards per play. In fact, at least 9 of the last 12 quarterbacks to win the most prestigious individual award in college sports have gone over all three of those thresholds. And while quarterbacks don't have to be impressive dual threats who add rushing yards too, it certainly helps. Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, Marcus Mariota, and Cam Newton all logged double-digit rushing touchdowns.
Dart is way ahead of pace for all those marks, and should easily dismantle his next three opponents before getting to SEC play. That's when his real prove-it moments will begin, but he's already posted some of his best games against his toughest opponents over the last three seasons. Including his monstrous performance against Penn State in the Peach Bowl last December, Dart now has 14 total touchdowns and nearly 1300 yards in his last four games.
Now that Ole Miss has Tre Harris, Antwane "Juice" Wells, Caden Prieskorn, and a stacked running back room all healthy around Jaxson Dart, he should have no problem putting up dominant numbers week in and week out. Hopefully that continues all year long and it pays off big time this season, because Dart will certainly be headed to the early rounds of the NFL Draft next spring.
Related: Ole Miss Rebels breakout players to watch for as Week 1 of the 2024 College Football season kicks off
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