Ole Miss Rebels QB Jaxson Dart Named Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist
He's slinging his team toward a 10-win regular season finish, and he's building up momentum in the race for hardware.
All in a day's work for Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Dart was named a semifinalist for the 2023 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, the Davey O'Brien Foundation announced Tuesday. He is one of 20 semifinalists for the distinct honor, handed out to the nation's best college quarterback.
After a promising campaign in 2022, Dart garnered national attention by leading the Rebels' offense to new heights. Through 10 games, he's completed 65.1 percent of his throws for 2,579 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Dart's also been highly effective on the ground, ranking second in the SEC among QBs in yards per carry (3.7), third in touchdowns (seven) and fourth in yards per game (35.4).
Among SEC passers, Dart ranks fourth with 293.3 yards of total offense per game. Nationally, Dart ranks within the top 15 in yards per attempt at 9.9 (No. 5), yards per completion at 15.2 (No. 8), and passing efficiency at 164.5 (No. 12).
A native of Kaysville, Utah, Dart continues to climb up the ladder in the Rebels' record books. He currently ranks sixth all-time in total offense (6,521), seventh in career 300-yard passing games (5), eighth in passing yards (5,553), eighth in passing touchdowns (36) and ninth in total touchdowns (44).
Dart was one of five SEC quarterbacks selected as a semifinalist. Joining him include: Georgia's Carson Beck, Missouri's Brady Cook, LSU's Jayden Daniels, and Alabama's Jalen Milroe. Oregon's Bo Nix, Washington's Michael Penix Jr., Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel, and USC's Caleb Williams were also selected, among others.
Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Quinshon Judkins
Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report
The three finalists for the award will be chosen based on voting from the Davey O'Brien National Selection Committee as well as bonus ballots awarded from the second round of the Davey O'Brien Fan Vote. For the fourth straight year, the Fan Vote will take place on the award's three social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X) – and the top five vote-getters on each platform will receive bonus committee member ballots which will be added to the votes cast by the National Selection Committee.
The three finalists will be tabbed on Tuesday, Nov. 28, while the winner will be announced live on Friday, Dec. 8, on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The No. 13 Rebels (8-2, 5-2 SEC) will have a chance to earn a New Year's Six Bowl bid with wins over Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State in the annual Egg Bowl. Since the arrival of Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss has recorded at least eight wins three times, including its first 10-win regular season back in 2021.
Kickoff against the Warhawks is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
