Lane Kiffin has the best offensive mind in college football according to Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. (SEC Photo)
Southeastern Conference Media Days started Monday in Dallas and future UK opponent Mississippi was one of four teams on the schedule.
The Cats play at Ole Miss Sept. 28 in what could be a pivotal game on UK’s schedule. The Rebels are being mentioned as a potential college football playoff team and figure to be a solid favorite over the Cats, especially with the return of quarterback Jaxson Dart. He threw for over 3,000 yards in 2023 with only five interceptions.
“I think with Jaxon, there is not as much to point to because he did finish the season really well and we’ve had him now for a while. A lot of times we gotta go work on leadership things with someone and investing in their team and players,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said.
“So a lot of times you got to work on that with them; he has that nailed. I think just continuing his decision making, and then no matter how grounded you are, the spotlight and the pressure gets big on him. Maintaining what he did really well at the end of the year, which is why we were so successful, which is taking care of the football and not forcing balls and making really good decisions.”
Dart also met with the media and here is part of what he said:
Q. What makes Lane Kiffin offense so much fun and what do you have to do to compete against the top echelon teams? You had a tremendous season last year but the top echelon teams you couldn’t beat.
JAXSON DART: I think Coach Kiffin has the best offensive mind in college football. His ability to adjust mid-game, being able to adjust on the fly, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. He’s just super gifted that way.
At the same time, he’s somebody who can really form and mold an offense based on his personnel. He doesn’t run the same offense every year. He bases it off his personnel and being able to put his team in the best position to succeed. I’ve grown and learned so much from him. Grateful that I’ve been able to play for him.
From a team standpoint, I mentioned it in my opening, we bring in a lot of talent through the transfer portal and able to retain a lot of guys, but talent doesn’t make a team. So we’ve got to continue to grow together and develop our culture.
Q. Last year, in that quarterback battle, this year, pretty much the clear-cut number one in camp, I saw you meet a group of a lot of people who want to speak with you, Heisman voting stuff. And Kiffin talks about the rat poison. Talk about coming from a year ago, now you’re the guy, the expectation on your shoulders, how it was different for you mentally coming into this season.
JAXSON DART: Quite honestly, from that perspective, I didn’t feel like my job was in doubt or anything like that. From last season, I always felt like I was the guy the moment I stepped on campus here. I’ve always been somebody who’s always chased after a goal and dream and it’s something I’ve set out after since I was a little kid.
From that standpoint of me competing against somebody or not, I feel like I’m always competing against myself. But Coach Kiffin does a great job of being able to create those environments and create those atmospheres and really helps you develop from one year to the next.
Q. Jaxson, you’re one of several veteran quarterbacks that are going on now multiple years in this league, but there’s also a lot of new guys at the quarterback position. Any advice for those guys just in terms of what it takes to excel at that position in this league?
JAXSON DART: The term “veteran” is weird to me because I feel like I’m still pretty young in college football. I just turned 21. But at the same time I understand it.
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned through college football is that you truly have to live in the moment. There’s so much movement nowadays, and coaches could be gone any second. With the transfer portal you can see a teammate one day and the next day he’s gone.
Just trying to get as much as you can and take in every moment and take advantage of it. It’s a lot of fun and a lot of people, I think, mistake that you always gotta be intense. You do, but at the same time it’s a lot of fun. If you don’t have a lot of fun playing this game it’s going to be kind of miserable. I wish I did kind of appreciate and have more fun early in college football, but I’m super grateful for it.
One Response
Lane kiffin is one of the best coaches in college football. I thought Alabama was going to go after him and get him. I didn’t think he wanted to leave Ole Miss either because of what he has, now let me say that to say this Ole Miss is overrated. Sounds crazy huh. 2 years ago when we played Ole Miss and barely lost but we should have won. He doesn’t like playing Kentucky because Kentucky will punch you in the mouth. I think we beat Ole Miss this year and lose to Texas and Georgia. 10-2. I think our defense is going to be so good that our offense can be average and we can win a lot of games. As long as we keep the other team from scoring alot of points I think our offense can take us over the top.