IN PICS: Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart shows support to Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel with a unique gesture
Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart has made headlines again, but this time for a tribute to Oregon’s star quarterback, Dillon Gabriel. The Ducks QB is fresh off an undefeated Big Ten season and a Big Ten Championship win and was named the AP Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
Dart took to Instagram on Wednesday to show his admiration for Gabriel. In a mirror selfie, Dart wore a garland around his neck, strikingly similar to Gabriel’s look after the Ducks clinched their Big Ten title against the Penn State Nittany Lions.
“Sco @dillongabriel 🦆🏝,” Dart captioned the story, lblending the Ducks’ mascot with a tropical vibe.
Gabriel’s record-shattering season includes a 73.2% completion rate (2nd nationally) and 28 touchdowns, making him a Heisman finalist. His achievements this season have been nothing short of exemplary. The 23-year-old QB boasted an NCAA record for total touchdowns (187) and led Oregon to the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed.
Also read: Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel reportedly accepts invite to the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl
Jaxson Dart will play in the Gator Bowl
The Ole Miss QB Dart is set to take the field one final time for the Rebels in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against the Duke Blue Devils on Jan. 2. The senior signal-caller confirmed his decision to play against Duke in what promises to be a thrilling matchup.
"Last one," Jaxson Dart wrote on Instagram, hinting at finishing their college career with his teammates.
Rebels HC Lane Kiffin shared insights into Dart’s decision while praising the QB’s leadership.
"He said he was definitely playing and wanted to play his last game with these guys," Kiffin said (Ole Miss Rebels website).
Dart even encouraged other teammates, including NFL hopeful Trey Amos, to participate in the game.
“He's been an amazing leader. He's set a bunch of records here, but how he's been as a leader, and what he's been to this university has been awesome. This is another example of making sure he finishes what he started,” Kiffin said.
Dart was once again the star performer for the Rebels this season. He threw for 3,875 yards, the most in the SEC and fourth in the nation. He earned first-team All-SEC honors and was awarded the Conerly Trophy as Mississippi's best collegiate player.
Jaxson Dart will lead Ole Miss’ offense for the final time against the Blue Devils. Kiffin and Co. should expect a tough Duke squad boasting the ACC’s No. 2 scoring defense.
Also read: “This hug was not intercepted” - Fans have hilarious response to Lane Kiffin-Jaxson Dart’s emotional moment