University of Mississippi secures prospective replacement for Jaxson Dart in transfer market
Ole Miss Shakes Up QB Room with Maealiuaki Smith's Arrival
With Jaxson Dart's departure, Lane Kiffin is on a quest for his new leader. He may have found his next signal-caller with the commitment of former Oklahoma State quarterback Maealiuaki Smith to Ole Miss, via the college football transfer portal.
Smith officially put pen to paper with the Rebels on Tuesday, as announced by On3 Sports' Pete Nakos. Despite playing in just four games as a true freshman in 2024, Smith retains all four years of his eligibility. He becomes the second ex-Oklahoma State player joining Ole Miss after wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling committed following the 2024 season.
In a disappointing season for the 2024 Cowboys, Smith made two starts in relief of seventh-year senior Alan Bowman. He impressed in his first career start against Texas Tech, throwing for 316 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, earning him the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week award. Smith concluded the year with 489 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions.
Smith joins a Quarterback room that already includes sophomore Austin Simmons, Ferris State transfer Trinidad Chambliss, Louisville transfer Pierce Clarkson, and Tennessee State transfer George Hamsley. After backing up Dart in 2024, Simmons remains as the sole returning member of the QB group.
While Dart leaves big shoes to fill, Smith adds an intriguing element to Kiffin's QB group. Though Simmons is familiar with the system, and Chambliss enters off a Division II national title, Smith still seems to be the best of the bunch at first glance.
Rebuilding through the Transfer Portal
With eight players drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Ole Miss enters a rebuilding phase after one of its most successful eras in recent history. Led by defensive tackle Walter Nolen, the Rebels set a record with five players taken on the first two nights of the draft.
Wide receivers Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins, cornerback Tre Amos, linebacker Chris Paul Jr., defensive linemen Princely Umanmielen, and J.J. Pegues comprise the drafted talent. Several other former stars, such as tight end Caden Prieskorn and wideout Antwane "Juice" Wells, signed as undrafted free agents.
Given the mass of losses, Kiffin has concentrated on rebuilding the team through the transfer portal. The squad only retains four starters for 2025, with three on offense and one on defense. Ole Miss brought in a handful of players from the college football transfer portal, including Stribling, Harrison Wallace III, Kewan Lacy, Damien Taylor, and Princewill Umanmielen, Princely’s younger brother.
Key Details:- Austin Simmons: The two-sport athlete, now fully committed to football, is the heir apparent to Jaxson Dart[1][4].- Backup Competition: - Trinidad Chambliss: Division II All-American transfer from Ferris State, a seasoned contender[1]. - AJ Maddox: Returned from injury late in spring practice, maintaining familiarity with the system[3]. - Maealiuaki Smith: Oklahoma State transfer with four years of eligibility; threw for 489 yards and 2 TDs in limited 2024 action, highlighted by a 316-yard game vs. Texas Tech[1]. Smith is likely to offer long-term depth but is unlikely to challenge Simmons immediately, who benefits from Lane Kiffin’s offseason focus on QB development amid a roster rebuild[2]. The Rebels’ transfer portal class, now ranked No. 4, emphasizes competition at all positions[3].
In the aftermath of Jaxson Dart's departure, Lane Kiffin is on a mission to find his new quarterback. His search may have led him to Maealiuaki Smith, a former Oklahoma State quarterback who has now committed to Ole Miss via the college football transfer portal. Smith retains all four years of his eligibility, having played in just four games as a true freshman in 2024.
Smith joins a quarterback room that already includes Austin Simmons, Trinidad Chambliss, AJ Maddox, and others. Simmons is the sole returning member of the QB group, having backed up Dart in 2024. Smith, with his 489 yards, 2 touchdowns, and limited interceptions in his debut season, seems to offer long-term depth but may not immediately challenge Simmons.
Ole Miss, having lost several star players in the 2025 NFL Draft, is rebuilding through the college football transfer portal. Smith's commitment is one of several high-profile additions to the team, including De'Zhaun Stribling, Harrison Wallace III, Kewan Lacy, Damien Taylor, and Princewill Umanmielen. The Rebels aim to maintain competitiveness at all positions, with their transfer portal class currently ranked No. 4.
