Why Jaxson Dart sees himself as Ole Miss football's starting QB, despite transfer additions

OXFORD — Talk of a quarterback competition has dominated Ole Miss football's offseason ‒ and why wouldn't it?

Coach Lane Kiffin retained his starting quarterback, Jaxson Dart, and bolstered the room with four-year Oklahoma State starter Spencer Sanders and redshirt freshman Walker Howard from LSU. But, asked Tuesday if he shared the view that he's involved in a competition for his job this spring, Dart indicated he felt differently.

"To be honest, I just see myself as the starter," he said.

Dart's first season with Ole Miss produced mixed results. He threw for 2,974 yards and rushed for 614 more, compiling 20 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The Rebels went 8-5 with him at the helm.

He said he was expecting Ole Miss to seek out two quarterback transfers, especially after backup Luke Altmyer announced he was entering the portal.

It was the type of quarterback Kiffin added that caused the offseason buzz, though. Howard has four years of eligibility remaining and could, in theory, wait his turn, behind Dart. He was a more conventional add given Ole Miss' situation. Sanders, by contrast, is out of turns. This season will be the final item on a college resume that includes 9,553 passing yards, 67 passing touchdowns and 40 interceptions. Sanders has also rushed for 1,956 yards and 18 TDs in his career. Coming into spring off an injury, the Rebels are limiting Sanders' reps, according to Kiffin.

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Dart ‒ still only 19 – explained that he's enjoyed learning from Sanders. Still, he said he feels as though he's established himself as Ole Miss' starting quarterback.

"I feel like I've taken ownership of that," he said. "I'm just ready to do my job. I'm loving where I'm at right now. I'm just expecting myself to have a great spring and keep performing the way that I'm performing."

Kiffin has gushed over Dart's progress in both of his meetings with reporters during the spring practice period, believing that he's responded well to the additions of Sanders and Howard.

Some form of competition is typical for Dart. He beat out Altmyer for the starting job last season and competed with Kedon Slovis during his freshman season at USC.

"I think it's been great for him," Kiffin said. "I think it's natural for us not to want competition around. I certainly understand that, but I think it's been really good for him. He's looked great, which is strange to say for a returning starter. He's probably one of our most improved players out there."

David Eckert covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at deckert@gannett.com or reach him on Twitter @davideckert98.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why Jaxson Dart sees himself as Ole Miss football's starting QB