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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Photo by: National Football Foundation/Lucas Peltier
Jaxson Dart Honored as Scholar-Athlete at NFF Awards Dinner
12/10/2024 | Football
LAS VEGAS – Ole Miss football senior quarterback Jaxson Dart was honored as one of 16 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino for the NFF's annual awards dinner Tuesday night.
Dart earned NFF Scholar-Athlete status automatically by being named a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy – the "Academic Heisman" – which was awarded to Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. The 16 finalists each received an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class.
Dart is the ninth player in Ole Miss history to be named an NFF Scholar-Athlete, joining tailback Steve Hindman (1968), quarterback Norris Weese (1973), offensive tackle Dick Lawrence (1975), quarterback Kent Austin (1985), defensive back Jeff Noblin (1986), offensive lineman Danny Hoskins (1987), tight end and linebacker Wesley Walls (1988), and quarterback Eli Manning (2003).
Dart – who today was also named the first Rebel quarterback to earn Coaches All-SEC first team honors since Eli Manning in 2003 – ranks among the best signal callers nationwide in 2024. Already the winner of the Conerly Trophy and a finalist for the Manning Award, Dart leads the FBS in total offense (360.6 ypg) and passing yards per attempt (10.7), while also leading the SEC and ranking FBS top-10 in passing efficiency (177.7; FBS No. 2), yards per completion (15.6; FBS No. 3), passing yards (3,875; FBS No. 4) and passing yards per game (322.9; FBS No. 4).
On the season overall, Dart owns a 2024 passing line of 249-of-363 (68.6 percent) for 3,875 yards, 25 touchdowns, six interceptions and an efficiency rating of 177.7. On the ground, Dart owns 452 yards and three scores, pushing his total offense to an FBS-leading 4,327 yards. Dart has led the Rebels to a Gator Bowl berth, a No. 14 slot in the final College Football Playoff rankings, a historic win over No. 2 Georgia on Nov. 9, and has Ole Miss on the cusp of its first consecutive 10-win seasons since 1959-60.
This season, Dart has set Ole Miss career marks in wins by a starting quarterback (27), winning percentage by a starting quarterback (.730), total offense (13,064), passing yards (10,213), 300-yard passing games (14) and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,455), and he currently ranks first on the career lists in passing efficiency (161.2) and total offense per play (8.09). As a Rebel overall, Dart owns a passing line of 708-of-1,083 (65.4 percent) for 10,213 yards, 68 touchdowns and an efficiency rating of 161.2.
A native of Kaysville, Utah, Dart is in his third season as Ole Miss' starting quarterback in 2024 after transferring from USC his freshman season in 2021. In his overall career, Dart is 825-of-1,272 (64.9 percent) for 11,566 yards and 77 touchdowns with a career rushing line of 1,498 yards and 14 scores on 381 carries – making him one of four active FBS quarterbacks at 13,000 yards of total offense at 13,064.
In the classroom, Dart owns a 3.71 GPA as a general business major and is on pace to graduate in May 2025. He has been named to the Chancellor's and Dean's Honor Rolls twice each, in addition to appearances on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll and the SEC Honor Roll.
Dart's involvement in the community includes reading at local elementary schools; the Tim Tebow Foundation's "Night to Shine" prom for special needs high school students; hosting foster children on campus during a Christmas gift giving program; the annual "Feed the Sip" food drive; a Thanksgiving food drive; and assisting with a water collection drive during the crisis in Jackson, Mississippi.
Submitted by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the Campbell Trophy must be either a senior player who will complete his final year of eligibility during the 2024 season or be a graduated player or grad transfer who has already earned a bachelor's degree and will participate in the 2024 season; must have minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; must have outstanding football ability as a starter/significant contributor; and must have exhibited exemplary leadership on the field, in the classroom and within the community.
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ABOUT THE NFF NATIONAL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARDS
Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments celebrate its 66th year in 2024. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on both a player's academic and athletic accomplishments. Since 2011, Fidelity Investments, a leading provider of workplace savings plans in higher education, has served as the presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards.
As part of its support of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, Fidelity Investments helped launch the NFF Faculty Salutes, which recognize the contributions of the faculty athletics representatives at each of the institutions with a finalist for the Campbell Trophy. The NFF presents each of the faculty athletics representatives with a plaque and Fidelity donates $5,000 for the academic support services at each school. The salutes have recognized 198 FARs since the program's inception, and Fidelity has made a total of $990,000 (including $80,000 this year) in donations.
Including the 2024 Campbell Trophy finalists, the NFF has honored 938 individuals with National Scholar-Athlete Awards, and this year's postgraduate scholarships will push the program's all-time distribution to more than $12.9 million.
Past recipients have used their postgraduate scholarships to set the standard for excellence in our society, earning more than 177 medical degrees, 108 law degrees, 83 MBAs and 46 PhDs. Others have used their financial backing to enhance successful careers in finance, consulting and engineering. Continuing their excellence on the field, more than 270 recipients have played in the NFL with an average career of six seasons or double the length of a typical NFL player. Past recipients also include 13 Rhodes Scholars and six Heisman Trophy winners.
Past NFF National Scholar-Athletes have made it big in a variety of fields, including actor and film producer Mark Harmon (UCLA); Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans (Alabama); NASA astronauts Leland Melvin (Richmond) and Michael Hopkins (Illinois); and current athletics directors: Trev Alberts (Texas A&M) and Josh Whitman (Illinois). NFF National Scholar-Athletes who became NFL stalwarts include Drew Brees, Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins, Doug Flutie, Joey Galloway, Brian Griese, Justin Herbert, Jeff Hostetler, Bradie James, Tyler Lockett, Alex Mack, Johnny Musso, Ryan Tannehill, Joe Thomas, Jonathan Vilma, Wesley Walls and Christian Wilkins, among many others.
A total of 44 former National Scholar-Athletes have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and eight are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well: Tony Boselli (Southern California), Derrick Brooks (Florida State), Dave Casper (Notre Dame), Randy Gradishar (Ohio State), Peyton Manning (Tennessee), Merlin Olsen (Utah State), Lee Roy Selmon (Oklahoma) and Steve Young (BYU). Click here for a database of all the past NFF National Scholar-Athletes.
ABOUT THE WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY
The Campbell Trophy®, first awarded in 1990 to Air Force's Chris Howard, has added to the program's prestige. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and nine first-round NFL draft picks. For the complete list of former winners, please click here.
The trophy is named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, an All-Ivy League player and the captain of Columbia's 1961 Ivy League championship team who found his true calling after an unlikely career change at age 39 from Columbia football coach to advertising executive. His ability to recruit, develop and manage talented executives – all lessons learned on the gridiron – proved to be a critical component of his ability to inspire his business teams to the highest levels of success.
As the CEO and chairman of Intuit, Campbell's strong leadership and unique talent in building teams allowed him to become one of the most influential individuals in Silicon Valley. Using the lessons of the gridiron he mentored Steve Jobs of Apple, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Sundar Pichai and Eric Schmidt of Google, Scott Cook and Brad Smith of Intuit, John Doerr of Kleiner-Perkins, Dick Costolo at Twitter, Diane Greene of VMWare and countless others. His contributions have been captured in a book titled "The Trillion Dollar Coach," and during his lifetime, he affectionally became known as the "Coach of Silicon Valley."
Campbell joined the NFF Board in 1978 while he was still a coach at Columbia, and he continued to serve with distinction until his passing in 2016. In 2004, the NFF recognized Campbell's contributions and accomplishments by presenting him with the NFF Gold Medal, the organization's highest honor. In 2009, the NFF renamed college football's premier scholar-athlete award as The William V. Campbell Trophy® as an inspiration to future generations.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship, and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the criteria, selection and induction of members of the College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; Future For Football; I Played; the William V. Campbell Trophy; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation & Hatchell Cup presented by the Original Bob's Steak & Chop House; and a series of programs and initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Bruin Capital, Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Hampshire Companies, Hanold Associates Executive Search, Jostens, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation and the Sports Business Journal. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork and learn more at footballfoundation.org.
Dart earned NFF Scholar-Athlete status automatically by being named a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy – the "Academic Heisman" – which was awarded to Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. The 16 finalists each received an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class.
Dart is the ninth player in Ole Miss history to be named an NFF Scholar-Athlete, joining tailback Steve Hindman (1968), quarterback Norris Weese (1973), offensive tackle Dick Lawrence (1975), quarterback Kent Austin (1985), defensive back Jeff Noblin (1986), offensive lineman Danny Hoskins (1987), tight end and linebacker Wesley Walls (1988), and quarterback Eli Manning (2003).
Dart – who today was also named the first Rebel quarterback to earn Coaches All-SEC first team honors since Eli Manning in 2003 – ranks among the best signal callers nationwide in 2024. Already the winner of the Conerly Trophy and a finalist for the Manning Award, Dart leads the FBS in total offense (360.6 ypg) and passing yards per attempt (10.7), while also leading the SEC and ranking FBS top-10 in passing efficiency (177.7; FBS No. 2), yards per completion (15.6; FBS No. 3), passing yards (3,875; FBS No. 4) and passing yards per game (322.9; FBS No. 4).
On the season overall, Dart owns a 2024 passing line of 249-of-363 (68.6 percent) for 3,875 yards, 25 touchdowns, six interceptions and an efficiency rating of 177.7. On the ground, Dart owns 452 yards and three scores, pushing his total offense to an FBS-leading 4,327 yards. Dart has led the Rebels to a Gator Bowl berth, a No. 14 slot in the final College Football Playoff rankings, a historic win over No. 2 Georgia on Nov. 9, and has Ole Miss on the cusp of its first consecutive 10-win seasons since 1959-60.
This season, Dart has set Ole Miss career marks in wins by a starting quarterback (27), winning percentage by a starting quarterback (.730), total offense (13,064), passing yards (10,213), 300-yard passing games (14) and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,455), and he currently ranks first on the career lists in passing efficiency (161.2) and total offense per play (8.09). As a Rebel overall, Dart owns a passing line of 708-of-1,083 (65.4 percent) for 10,213 yards, 68 touchdowns and an efficiency rating of 161.2.
A native of Kaysville, Utah, Dart is in his third season as Ole Miss' starting quarterback in 2024 after transferring from USC his freshman season in 2021. In his overall career, Dart is 825-of-1,272 (64.9 percent) for 11,566 yards and 77 touchdowns with a career rushing line of 1,498 yards and 14 scores on 381 carries – making him one of four active FBS quarterbacks at 13,000 yards of total offense at 13,064.
In the classroom, Dart owns a 3.71 GPA as a general business major and is on pace to graduate in May 2025. He has been named to the Chancellor's and Dean's Honor Rolls twice each, in addition to appearances on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll and the SEC Honor Roll.
Dart's involvement in the community includes reading at local elementary schools; the Tim Tebow Foundation's "Night to Shine" prom for special needs high school students; hosting foster children on campus during a Christmas gift giving program; the annual "Feed the Sip" food drive; a Thanksgiving food drive; and assisting with a water collection drive during the crisis in Jackson, Mississippi.
Submitted by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the Campbell Trophy must be either a senior player who will complete his final year of eligibility during the 2024 season or be a graduated player or grad transfer who has already earned a bachelor's degree and will participate in the 2024 season; must have minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; must have outstanding football ability as a starter/significant contributor; and must have exhibited exemplary leadership on the field, in the classroom and within the community.
-----
ABOUT THE NFF NATIONAL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARDS
Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments celebrate its 66th year in 2024. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on both a player's academic and athletic accomplishments. Since 2011, Fidelity Investments, a leading provider of workplace savings plans in higher education, has served as the presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards.
As part of its support of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, Fidelity Investments helped launch the NFF Faculty Salutes, which recognize the contributions of the faculty athletics representatives at each of the institutions with a finalist for the Campbell Trophy. The NFF presents each of the faculty athletics representatives with a plaque and Fidelity donates $5,000 for the academic support services at each school. The salutes have recognized 198 FARs since the program's inception, and Fidelity has made a total of $990,000 (including $80,000 this year) in donations.
Including the 2024 Campbell Trophy finalists, the NFF has honored 938 individuals with National Scholar-Athlete Awards, and this year's postgraduate scholarships will push the program's all-time distribution to more than $12.9 million.
Past recipients have used their postgraduate scholarships to set the standard for excellence in our society, earning more than 177 medical degrees, 108 law degrees, 83 MBAs and 46 PhDs. Others have used their financial backing to enhance successful careers in finance, consulting and engineering. Continuing their excellence on the field, more than 270 recipients have played in the NFL with an average career of six seasons or double the length of a typical NFL player. Past recipients also include 13 Rhodes Scholars and six Heisman Trophy winners.
Past NFF National Scholar-Athletes have made it big in a variety of fields, including actor and film producer Mark Harmon (UCLA); Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans (Alabama); NASA astronauts Leland Melvin (Richmond) and Michael Hopkins (Illinois); and current athletics directors: Trev Alberts (Texas A&M) and Josh Whitman (Illinois). NFF National Scholar-Athletes who became NFL stalwarts include Drew Brees, Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins, Doug Flutie, Joey Galloway, Brian Griese, Justin Herbert, Jeff Hostetler, Bradie James, Tyler Lockett, Alex Mack, Johnny Musso, Ryan Tannehill, Joe Thomas, Jonathan Vilma, Wesley Walls and Christian Wilkins, among many others.
A total of 44 former National Scholar-Athletes have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and eight are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well: Tony Boselli (Southern California), Derrick Brooks (Florida State), Dave Casper (Notre Dame), Randy Gradishar (Ohio State), Peyton Manning (Tennessee), Merlin Olsen (Utah State), Lee Roy Selmon (Oklahoma) and Steve Young (BYU). Click here for a database of all the past NFF National Scholar-Athletes.
ABOUT THE WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY
The Campbell Trophy®, first awarded in 1990 to Air Force's Chris Howard, has added to the program's prestige. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and nine first-round NFL draft picks. For the complete list of former winners, please click here.
The trophy is named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, an All-Ivy League player and the captain of Columbia's 1961 Ivy League championship team who found his true calling after an unlikely career change at age 39 from Columbia football coach to advertising executive. His ability to recruit, develop and manage talented executives – all lessons learned on the gridiron – proved to be a critical component of his ability to inspire his business teams to the highest levels of success.
As the CEO and chairman of Intuit, Campbell's strong leadership and unique talent in building teams allowed him to become one of the most influential individuals in Silicon Valley. Using the lessons of the gridiron he mentored Steve Jobs of Apple, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Sundar Pichai and Eric Schmidt of Google, Scott Cook and Brad Smith of Intuit, John Doerr of Kleiner-Perkins, Dick Costolo at Twitter, Diane Greene of VMWare and countless others. His contributions have been captured in a book titled "The Trillion Dollar Coach," and during his lifetime, he affectionally became known as the "Coach of Silicon Valley."
Campbell joined the NFF Board in 1978 while he was still a coach at Columbia, and he continued to serve with distinction until his passing in 2016. In 2004, the NFF recognized Campbell's contributions and accomplishments by presenting him with the NFF Gold Medal, the organization's highest honor. In 2009, the NFF renamed college football's premier scholar-athlete award as The William V. Campbell Trophy® as an inspiration to future generations.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship, and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the criteria, selection and induction of members of the College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; Future For Football; I Played; the William V. Campbell Trophy; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation & Hatchell Cup presented by the Original Bob's Steak & Chop House; and a series of programs and initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Bruin Capital, Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Hampshire Companies, Hanold Associates Executive Search, Jostens, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation and the Sports Business Journal. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork and learn more at footballfoundation.org.
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