Dart is one of 63 signal-callers nationally and one of 11 in the SEC on the waiting list for the Unitas Golden Arm Award, given annually to the best senior or upper-class quarterback graduating from his class.
Dart – already on the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award and Davey O’Brien Award shortlists – is coming off the best season of his career in 2023 after leading Ole Miss to its first 11-win season in program history. Dart finished the season 233-of-358 (65.1 percent) for 3,364 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions (also the fewest in Ole Miss history with at least 200 attempts in a season). Dart was also very effective on the ground, posting 389 yards and eight scores on 119 total carries.
Dart was among the SEC’s best in every major category, finishing in the top 20 nationally in yards per attempt (8th, 9.4), yards per completion (10th, 14.4), total offense (16th, 288.7 YPG) and total passing yards (20th, 3,364). His 2023 season also ranks among the best ever by a Rebel quarterback: He ranks second in passing efficiency (162.4), second in yards per attempt (9.4), third in completion percentage (65.1), third in yards per completion (14.4), fourth in total touchdowns responsible (31), fourth in 300-yard passing games (5), fifth in passing yards (3,364), fifth in total offense percentage (3,753) and sixth in passing touchdowns (23).
Entering his final season with the Rebels in 2024, Dart is also within striking distance of several career records in Ole Miss history. Dart currently ranks 3rd all-time in passing efficiency (153.0), 3rd in yards per attempt (8.8), 3rd in yards per completion (13.8), 4th in completion percentage (63.8), 5th in passing yards (6,338), 5th in total offense (7,341), 6th in passing touchdowns (43), 6th in 300-yard passing games (7), 6th in total touchdowns (52), 7th in completions (459) and 10th in attempts (720).
The Golden Arm Award’s namesake, Johnny Unitas, was an 18-year NFL veteran who played his college career at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958. His career passing numbers include 2,830 completed passes for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns, and one touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.
The preseason watch list, semifinalists, finalists and award winner are selected by the esteemed Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Selection Committee, a group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers and former players. This year’s award winner will be presented with the Golden Arm Award trophy at the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland on Friday, December 6.
