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From Oxford to New York: Jaxson Dart
Jaxson Dart began his college football career as a backup for the USC Trojans as a true freshman while showing ample potential.
After his freshman campaign, he decided to transfer across the country to the University of Mississippi. As a sophomore in the 2022 season, Dart broke out as the runaway starter at Ole Miss. Starting in 12 out of 13 games, he threw for 2,974 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was also one of six quarterbacks in the entire FBS to throw for both 2,900 yards and rush for 600 yards. Dart’s first season as a Rebel was a historic one for the program as his performance ranked sixth in Ole Miss history in total offense with 3,588 yards.
Dart’s junior season saw only improvement from not only him but the Rebels as a whole. He led Ole Miss to the program’s first-ever 11-win season topped off with a Peach Bowl win over Penn State. Dart finished the season starting in all 13 games and throwing for 3,364 yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions. The five picks are tied for the fewest in single-season Ole Miss history with at least 200 attempts. Dart was a Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist, a Maxwell Award Midseason Watch List member, and a Manning Award Midseason Watch List mention.
After Dart’s last year in college this past season, he finished his Rebel career with a passing total of 735-for-1,118 (65.7 percent), totaling 10,617 yards, 72 touchdowns and 22 interceptions with a passing efficiency of 162.8 and a per-game average of 272.2 yards in 39 games played and 38 games started.
After a long and eventful college football career, Dart was invited to the 2025 NFL Combine. He was eventually selected in the first round with the 25th overall pick by the New York Giants, a team looking to find a franchise quarterback.
For now, Dart will play behind Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and veteran Jameis Winston. Dart will have an excellent opportunity to learn from them and be mentored as he settles into the NFL. The Giants aren’t expected to be contenders this year and both quarterbacks ahead of Dart are on the other end of their careers, so there will be many opportunities for Dart to take charge and become the franchise quarterback in New York. The fans in the Big Apple should be excited for what’s to come.
