Eli Manning: Ole Miss has ‘a lot of good options’ in full quarterback room

Last year Ole Miss entered the season with two options at quarterback but this year the position group has doubled in size, providing plenty

Jaxson Dart is the leader in the clubhouse but Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard in in the mix to get a lot of playing time this fall. Then there is newcomer and surprise addition to the room in Austin Simmons.

Four options, though Simmons probably closer to a redshirt situation this year, makes the Ole Miss quarterback room one of the more impressive rooms in the country with the advent of the transfer portal and NIL era.

Ole Miss quarterback legend Eli Manning is high on the quarterbacks that fourth year head coach Lane Kiffin has assembled. Manning spoke with The Ole Miss Spirit this past weekend at the Manning Passing Academy about what the Rebels have put together this year.

“It’ll be interesting. A lot of good options at quarterback,” Manning said. “That’s great. I think that’s what you want. You want great competition at the quarterback job. It will probably help Jaxson and elevate his focus and his commitment and get him playing well.”

Dart earned high praise from both Eli and his father, Archie Manning, and has a fan in both. He was set to be a counselor at the MPA for the first time but a minor knee injury kept him in Oxford.

When it comes to Dart’s teammates and the competition Eli was confident it would be a positive for Ole Miss.

Sanders comes in from the Big 12 after being a four-year starter for Oklahoma State. Howard made the move from LSU to Ole Miss after redshirting with the Tigers last season.

In the spring it was mostly Dart getting the reps with the ones on offense while Sanders rehabbed a previous shoulder injury. But Sanders looked good in the Grove Bowl and keeping the quarterback battle in play through the summer and fall camp come August.

“But these other guys are behind him and they’re going to push him and everybody’s got to be ready. Never know how it goes or how it’s going to play out. I know all the quarterbacks have played and have experience and I know they’ll be ready to go if their name is called.”

Archie Manning also had thoughts on the two new additions to Ole Miss. The former Rebel great

“A very talented group,” Archie said. “I’ve seen (Sanders) from Oklahoma State. He’s been a productive quarterback and we know Walker. We know his dad. Walker’s going to be a good player. …That’s a strong quarterback room.”

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