Ole Miss football is set for an overhaul in most position groups, including at quarterback. Jaxson Dart is heading to the NFL, having had three great seasons with the Rebels.
Dart left the program as the all-time leader in passing yards, jumping Rebels great Eli Manning in the process, with a few games to spare. It wasn't the only record he broke, nor were program records under the guidance of Lane Kiffin.
It's a change that has Ole Miss fans unsure about the future, especially having had it so good for the past two seasons.
However, Dart is not worried about the future in Oxford and is confident about the next quarterback, who is set to be the starter in 2025. We saw glimpses of what Austin Simmons could do, such as that one touchdown drive against Georgia, showcasing what could be.
At the NFL Combine, Dart spoke about Simmons, and it should have Ole Miss fans excited.
"He’s an elite talent. I haven’t really seen anybody like him who can spin the ball with his arm talent. He’s going to take a huge step leadership-wise. I think they’re going to pick up where we left off."Jaxson Dart
Dart is not the only former player excited about Austin Simmons. Wide receiver Jordan Watkins also spoke about the future Ole Miss quarterback.
"Just a guy who’s going to be really, really special. Dual-sport athlete. He can do it all. His maturity level, he came in as a 17-year-old. The way he was able to adapt to the college ways and college system was great. And to just sit behind a great quarterback like Jaxson Dart as well and learn from him, he was one big sponge."Jordan Watkins
You can never know for sure what you have. However, going on past highlights and the words of players who practiced alongside Simmons, Ole Miss may be entering another 2-3 year stretch in safe hands.