I have no idea simply how good Walker Howard is or what the redshirt freshman quarterback’s ceiling could be, as a result of he tried simply 4 passes throughout his lone season at LSU. He accomplished two. Tough to get a lot of a studying from that. But I do know this: Brian Kelly as soon as thought sufficient of Howard that he did a ridiculous dance to assist safe Howard’s signature to Kelly’s first LSU recruiting class. And Kelly is a good choose of expertise.
Howard is now a expertise certain for Ole Miss.
The Rebels secured Howard’s dedication Wednesday. He transferred reasonably than face the prospect of remaining a third-string quarterback for a second season in LSU’s once-crowded quarterback room.
Ole Miss including a switch quarterback grew to become essential after backup Luke Altmyer transferred to Illinois. Altmyer’s exit left incumbent starter Jaxson Dart and veteran Kinkead Dent because the lone scholarship quarterbacks. Dent, after Howard’s dedication, informed 247Sports that he plans to switch.
Transfer quarterbacks are available in a number of kinds. There are the A-list additions (see USC’s Caleb Williams final yr). These are the rarest of jewels. In abundance are the “heat physique” depth-chart fillers. Ole Miss might have embraced that route, promised Dart he’d stay the starter and snagged a backup to spherical out the roster. Instead, the Rebels reached for a higher prize. Howard matches into a third class: younger, unproven expertise who can problem for the beginning job whereas additionally offering depth.
By including Howard, a nationwide top-50 prospect within the 2022 recruiting class, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin reaffirmed his “Portal King” bona fides. More importantly, he despatched a message that mediocrity won’t stand.
Oh, and it will get higher for the Rebels.
On Thursday, Oklahoma State switch Spencer Sanders introduced that he, too, is transferring to Ole Miss. Now, it is a celebration.
A veteran starter and a twin menace, Sanders has logged greater than 11,000 yards of profession complete offense, however his profession stalled with the Cowboys, and 2022 was his poorest season.
You do not win the offseason by including end-of-the-roster transfers. You do it by signing athletes who enhance the crew. Howard might have the zip and the accuracy to do this, and Sanders is a fail secure.
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The arrival of transfers doesn’t overthrow Dart as starter, nevertheless it raises the stakes for the incumbent. Consider spring apply the equal of a contested major.
By including transfers of this caliber, Kiffin signaled that Ole Miss won’t be complacent after a promising 2022 season fizzled.
Playing within the portal is akin to strolling a tightrope and making an attempt to steadiness bettering a roster’s depth and expertise with out spooking gamers already in this system.
Kiffin errs on the aspect of being aggressive. He grabs his surfboard and rides the portal wave. An affordable selection. Any incumbent who’s scared off by competitors in all probability is not suited to the job within the first place.
By including Howard and Sanders, Kiffin broadened Ole Miss’ likelihood for achievement. Either the transfers will successfully gas Dart to raise his recreation, or one of many newcomers will provide a greater ceiling and seize the reins.
Either final result is a higher path than the choice of including a switch quarterback incapable of contending for significant snaps.
Dart, himself a switch final yr from USC, delivered a tantalizing Ole Miss debut that typically went sideways. No one questions his grit, however he should develop consistency for the Rebels to advance past their 8-5 document, which included losses in 5 of their ultimate six video games after the schedule stiffened. Dart wasn’t reliable sufficient in studying the sector, and that culminated together with his three interceptions in a bowl recreation loss to Texas Tech.
Dart’s 11 interceptions – second most within the SEC – competed together with his contributions in making Ole Miss the SEC’s No. 1 speeding offense. He amassed 614 speeding yards and absorbed greater than his fair proportion of hits. He confirmed sufficient potential to really feel looking forward to an upward trajectory.
One solely must entry latest reminiscence to recall how a quarterback can enhance from Year 1 to Year 2 underneath Kiffin.
Matt Corral showcased his potential however threw 14 interceptions in his first season as Kiffin’s starter. Corral harnessed his abilities the next season, diminished his miscues, completed seventh in Heisman Trophy voting and led Ole Miss to the Sugar Bowl.
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Ole Miss’ beginning quarterback in 2023 ought to get pleasure from a complement of weapons. Quinshon Judkins returns after main the SEC in speeding as a freshman, and the Rebels’ extensive receiver switch haul consists of Chris Marshall, a former five-star prospect from Texas A&M, and Tre Harris, a confirmed move catcher from Louisiana Tech.
Maybe, Dart develops the consistency to match his mettle, and he is firing completions to Marshall, Harris and others whereas decreasing his errors.
If Dart stalls, although, Ole Miss is now armed with tempting alternate options.
Adding Howard and Sanders exhibits the Rebels usually are not content material to face nonetheless.
Blake Toppmeyer is an SEC Columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and observe him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.
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