SEC Football: Quarterback power rankings

The surprise SEC football team in 2023 is the Missouri Tigers, led by quarterback Brady Cook. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
The surprise SEC football team in 2023 is the Missouri Tigers, led by quarterback Brady Cook. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
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SEC Football
SEC football’s most interesting coach Lane Kiffin had one of this offseason’s most interesting quarterback battles. However, Jaxson Dart has made things much less interesting by playing at a high level. Mandatory Credit: Syndication: The Tennessean

SEC Football Quarterback Power Rankings:
No. 3 Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart

When Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders transferred to Ole Miss this offseason, many created a narrative around a quarterback competition in Oxford. Head coach Lane Kiffin didn’t help by refusing to outright name a starter at the position, even after week 1 of the season.

However, now five games in, the pseudo-controversy doesn’t even exist. Jaxson Dart has been really, really good for the Rebels, and the offense has been really good because of his efforts. Sophomore running back Quinshon Judkins has scuffled, but the Fighting Lane Kiffins haven’t missed a beat on that side of the football because of Dart.

A less-than-stellar game against Alabama is the only blemish on his report card this semester. The highlight of Dart’s brilliance in 2023 was his ridiculous 5-touchdown, 439-yard performance against #13 LSU last weekend. Dart went toe-to-toe with Jayden Daniels and matched the league’s top quarterback to the very end when his Rebels pulled off the last-second victory.

Dart has already played some of the tougher games on the schedule, as well, so there is optimism around the Ole Miss program that he can continue to shine the rest of the way, perhaps leading Ole Miss to a New Year’s Six Bowl or beyond.