Jaxson Dart sets Ole Miss passing record, passes Eli Manning

In the second quarter of the Egg Bowl on Friday, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart passed Eli Manning to become the program’s all-time passing leader. The completion boosted Dart to 10,132 career passing yards.

The record-setting play was a 17-yard completion to Jordan Watkins for a first down. Manning had held the school record since 2003, boasting 10,119 career passing yards. Four plays after Dart broke the record, the Rebels called a timeout and the broadcast aired a message that Manning had prepared.

“Hey Jaxson, congratulations on passing my career yards mark at Ole Miss,” Manning said. “I’m usually not very excited about one of my records getting broken but having got to meet you over the years and watch your career, I’m happy that it’s someone like you. Congratulations again, and keep up the good work.”

Dart has spent three seasons with the Rebels after transferring into the program from USC ahead of his sophomore campaign. Dart immediately started for the Rebels, notching 2,974 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in the 2022 campaign.

Dart only improved in the following season, tallying 3,364 passing yards and 23 touchdowns while only throwing five interceptions. For reference, Dart’s five interceptions were the fewest in single-season Ole Miss history with at least 200 attempts.

Jaxson Dart hasn’t let his foot off the gas in his final season at Ole Miss. Dart entered the game against Mississippi State on Friday with 3,732 passing yards and 24 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions.

While Dart has officially cemented his name in Ole Miss’ history books, it’ll be difficult for his legacy to surpass Manning in the eyes of Ole Miss fans. After all, Manning gave the Ole Miss faithful plenty to remember him by.

Manning played for Ole Miss from 2000-03 and was the Rebels’ starting quarterback in his final three seasons. When Manning left Ole Miss, he was the program’s career leader in passing yards (10,119), touchdown passes (81) and passer rating (137.7).

For his collegiate success, Eli Manning reeled in a treasure trove of awards, including the 2003 SEC Player of the Year Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Maxwell Award and numerous All-American honors. In 2010, Ole Miss retired Manning’s No. 10 jersey.