Lane Kiffin has been in fine form both on and off the field in recent months. The Ole Miss Rebels head coach continued his cheeky attacks on college football during the Gator Bowl, and Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia found himself in the line of fire.
Lane Kiffin Takes Dig at Diego Pavia
Kiffin has been outspoken during postseason play. His tendency to post his sometimes controversial views on social media, particularly regarding the 12-team College Football Playoff format, has made him a talking point — even without a spot in the dance.
His latest swipe came at the expense of Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia, who has recently been granted a waiver to play an extra year.
Speaking cheekily on ESPN, Kiffin lauded praise onto his quarterback, Jaxson Dart, after completing an impressive 27 of 35 attempts for 404 passing yards and four touchdowns in the Rebels’ 52-20 victory over the Duke Blue Devils in the Gator Bowl.
“It’s awesome, he’s playing great,” Kiffin said. “You never know. Maybe he’ll file a waiver, and then he’ll come back another year.”
Lane Kiffin just took a shot at Diego Pavia!
The smile to the camera after 😂 pic.twitter.com/Nq5MJZ7lSO
— Adam Spencer (@AdamSpencer4) January 3, 2025
A sneaky smirk followed as Kiffin looked at the camera. No one is safe from a Kiffin takedown.
Pavia was granted a waiver in December after suing the NCAA for its eligibility rules regarding JUCO players. Previously, the NCAA counted years played in the JUCO ranks towards a player’s overall college eligibility. However, Pavia filed a lawsuit claiming the rule violated antitrust laws and limited his NIL ability.
JUCO football has its own governing body, which led Pavia’s attorney to state, “A junior college season shouldn’t be the equivalent of an NCAA season when the junior college season has no meaningful opportunities to earn NIL, no television exposure.”
The injunction was upheld in court, allowing Pavia to play an extra year. Although the ruling only applies to JUCO prospects, it has repercussions for the legitimacy of the NCAA rules.
Jaxson Dart’s NFL Draft Projection
Dart, meanwhile, is a skilled quarterback who is likely to be drafted on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. As a former four-star recruit, he possesses the physical attributes of an NFL starter and excels at identifying favorable matchups. His accuracy allows him to make plays at all three levels of the field.
Standing at 6’2″ inches and weighing 225 pounds, Dart has a notable ability to make plays on the move and consistently demonstrates this skill.
However, Dart’s draft stock may be affected by his average athleticism and arm strength. Additionally, Lane Kiffin’s offensive scheme is particularly advantageous for college quarterbacks. While Dart has the potential to be a high-level backup or even a starting quarterback in the NFL, he will likely require a strong supporting cast to succeed early in his professional career.
NFL Draft Projection: Rounds 3-5
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.