To the surprise of few, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart was named the top college football player in Mississippi on Tuesday night.
During a ceremony held at the Sheraton Refuge in Flowood, Dart ousted finalists Mississippi State safety Isaac Smith and Jackson State running back Irv Mulligan to become the fourth Rebel in five years to hoist the Conerly Trophy.
“It’s a great honor to be up here with these tremendous athletes who help represent the state of Mississippi so well,” Dart said, thanking his family, friends, teammates, and coaches. “This award is a tribute to the hard work and commitment that our team showed this year, and I’m grateful to honor that and be up here.”
Named after legendary Ole Miss and New York Giants quarterback Charlie Conerly, Dart joins an elite list of Rebel signal-callers to win the award, including Stewart Patridge (1998), Eli Manning (2001, 2003), Bo Wallace (2012), and Matt Corral (2021).
Dart, who has proven to be one of college football’s most efficient field generals, currently leads the SEC in passing with 3,875 yards and 25 touchdowns with six interceptions. Last week, against Mississippi State, the senior became the winningest quarterback in Ole Miss history and jumped Manning as the program’s passing yards leader.
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Transferring to Ole Miss from USC in 2021 to play for Lane Kiffin, Dart found a lot more than an up-tempo offense upon arriving to Oxford. In his speech after receiving the award, the Kaysville, Utah native noted that he’s never experienced a place like Mississippi – for all the best reasons.
“I’m extremely grateful for the state of Mississippi. People ask me all the time, ‘What’s so special about this state?’ And I say, ‘the people,’ I’ve met tremendous individuals who have shown me a tremendous way,” Dart said. “It’s a very unique place and there’s truly nothing like it. So, I appreciate everybody here. Thank you for all the helping hands who helped put this together. It’s a real honor. Hotty toddy and thank y’all.”
Others considered for the Conerly Trophy were Southern Miss punter Bryce Lofton, Alcorn State quarterback Xzavier Vaughn, Mississippi Valley State wide receiver Nathan Rembert, Delta State running back Kelvin Smith, Mississippi College defensive lineman Brennan Blake, Belhaven linebacker Wyatt Beck, and Millsaps linebacker Nehemiah Coalson.
Also being awarded on Tuesday night was the Kent Hull Trophy, given annually to the top offensive lineman in Mississippi. Mississippi State tackle Albert Reese IV became the seventh Bulldog to win the award and the second straight to do so, following Cole Smith last season. The award is named after Kent Hull, a legendary center for both Mississippi State and the Buffalo Bills.
