Lane Kiffin Calls Rebels QB Battle 'Awesome Obstacle', Still Not Ready to Name Starter
What did we learn about the Ole Miss Rebels quarterback competition on Thursday? In short, not much.
Head coach Lane Kiffin was made available to the media on Thursday afternoon following practice, and he fielded multiple questions about the quarterback situation. Jaxson Dart seems to be taking the majority of first-team reps in practice, but Kiffin has also not committed to naming a starter as the season approaches, claiming he is pleased with what he has seen out of the entire room.
"I think those guys are doing really good," Kiffin said. "I think that (offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.) is spending a ton of time with them. Really the whole room is new, scholarship-wise, but Jaxson, and he's only going on his second year. They've done a really good job with the system here to be able to function."
Dart may seem to have the lead in the race as a whole, but Kiffin made sure to point out that Spencer Sanders has done some impressive things in camp, especially in the recent scrimmage.
"I think they're all doing really good," Kiffin said. "I know that's pretty general, but the younger guys are really grasping on learning the system and are doing a good job. Older guys have improved. Spencer's healthy now, which was not the case all spring. So, he's done some really good things, especially in some scrimmage-type situations."
So, when will Ole Miss name its QB1? It doesn't appear Kiffin is in any rush to pull the proverbial plug on the competition, especially since both Dart and Sanders seem to be doing well under the pressure.
"It's challenging because both guys do a lot of really good things," Kiffin said. "Both guys have played a lot. You go back to USC at the end, this is Jaxson's third year starting some games. Spencer's probably started as many as anybody in the country. It's challenging. But it's an awesome obstacle to have, to have that battle like that and also have multiple guys instead of one guy."
As of this writing, Ole Miss has 16 days until it opens its season against the Mercer Bears at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Similar to a season ago, this battle may lead up to (or after) starting lineups are announced on that Saturday afternoon, at least on paper.
You can follow John Macon on Twitter at @JMakeGillespie.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Rebels? Click Here.
Follow The Grove Report On Facebook and Twitter.
Want even more Ole Miss Rebels News? Check out the SI.com team page here.
