Rebels Tre Harris Shows No. 1 WR Potential In Win Over Mercer
It took three plays for Tre Harris to prove his top target for Ole Miss' passing attack.
It took three minutes for the transfer to make Rebels' history.
On 2nd & 4, Jaxson Dart surveyed the field before finding the former Louisana Tech pass-catcher on a curl route against a pair of Mercer defenders. At that point, it was a foot race to the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown to give the Rebels a 7-0 lead.
The duo connected again on the ensuing drive for a 28-yard score. Lightning struck twice on drive No. 3 for the same amount of yards and result. And just for fun, Dart kicked off the third quarter for touchdown No. 4, this time on a 16-yard deep slant to extend Ole Miss' lead to 45.
After Jonathan Mingo left for the NFL, the Rebels spent the offseason looking for their new top target. They scourged the transfer portal, bringing in players with proven reps and high-side potential.
Yes, it's Mercer, an FCS program that won seven games and lost to Auburn by nearly four TDS in 2022. Still, Dart has found someone he can trust.
By midseason, perhaps that separates the Rebels from other SEC West programs in challenging Alabama and LSU for their first — and last — division title.
"We had a bunch of explosive plays we knew we could hit," Harris said following a 73-7 win over the Bears at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. "We came out there and executed really well and they hit. It was a good day for everybody."
Harris became the first Ole Miss player since tight end Micheal Trigg's performance against FCS Central Arkansas to record three touchdowns in a game. His 133 yards were more than the entire Bears' receiving yards.
While Harris still is blossoming into a future, he already holds the program's single-game record for most receiving touchdowns. Dart, who was named the Rebels' starter prior to kickoff, credited Harris' work ethic in the offseason, mentioning how the two worked away from Oxford in California with the junior's personal quarterback's coach.
"He's my hotel roommate, and he's never played for an SEC school. He was asking what to expect, and we kind of manifested it," said Dart. "We felt like we were going to have a great game together, and we knew he was going to get a lot of touches, and he made the most of it."
Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report
Dart, who finished with 334 yards, targeted five receivers before Lane Kiffin called in the second-teamers, but all four of his touchdowns went to Harris. He started strong, completing 11 straight passes for three touchdowns, coasting out a 21-point advantage as the first quarter dwindled down to zero.
Dart also made plays with his legs, rushing four times for 36 yards.
"Jaxson did and did a really good job," Kiffin said postgame. "Now we'll go back and go to work this week and just get our players better. So, that was good to see. I know there's people out there who say, 'Well, people need to be named starters for them to play well.' (Dart) wasn't named the starter, and he went 11-for-11."
Dart said he's been preparing like the starter since Ole Miss fell short of a nine-win season after losing to Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. So has Harris. Combined, the duo left fans wanting more.
"Obviously this was his first game, but to just see his play, how much of an elite talent he is–-I’m just super pumped," said Dart.
They'll see it new week in New Orleans when the Rebels take on No. 24 Tulane for their first top-25 showdown.
