THIBODAUX, La. ― The 2023 Ole Miss football season left a "pretty brutal" impact on Jaxson Dart's body, the quarterback said Friday at the Manning Passing Academy.
Few quarterbacks across the country play the position with the physical edge Dart does. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, he loves to use his legs and isn't afraid to lower his shoulder while doing so.
He underwent an offseason procedure on his lower body, coach Lane Kiffin said this spring. Now, Dart is feeling healthy.
"It definitely took some time," Dart said, "but I feel the best that I've felt since the season and to be able to run and do everything that I used to. Happy to be able to get back into it, and it definitely gives you a lot better mental clarity of where you are and also just having a lot more fun being out there."
The injury recovery aspect of Dart's offseason is familiar. He spent a portion of time on crutches after the 2022 season.
That's behind him, though, and he said he has been able to take part in offseason conditioning and lifting with his teammates. Kiffin said Dart's movement had been limited during spring drills.
"We're in a really good spot right now as a team," Dart said. "Really like the energy that we bring every single day. It's a very positive atmosphere, so I'm really happy with where we're at."
For the first time since his transfer from Southern California to Ole Miss, Dart is not in an open quarterback competition.
He beat out Luke Altmyer to win the job in 2022, then edged Spencer Sanders in 2023. Now, there's no question. The Rebels are Dart's team in 2024, with Dart ranking among the sportsbooks' 10 preseason favorites for the Heisman Trophy as he heads into his third season as a starter.
The value provided by that type of longevity isn't to be undersold.
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Just ask Ole Miss legend Eli Manning, who played in 43 games from 2000 to 2003.
"I think the opportunity to be a three-year starter going into this final year is such a great advantage," Manning said. "Just knowing the system, having been there a long time. You get to grow as a leader, kind of take control, know what plays you like, know what you need to work on."
David Eckert covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at deckert@gannett.com or reach him on Twitter @davideckert98.
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