It’s officially that time of year when college football players have the opportunity to hear their names called to be members of an NFL franchise.
The 2025 NFL Draft has kicked off from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and a plethora of athletes from the Magnolia State are expected to be afforded the chance to showcase their talents at the next level. For those unfamiliar with Mississippi’s presence in professional football, the state ranks No. 4 in producing NFL players per capita.
Various colleges and universities in Mississippi are also a hotbed for turning promising athletes into bona fide pros. The list includes Walter Payton, Jerry Rice, Brett Favre, Archie Manning, Eli Manning, Ray Guy, and a multitude of others who have either passed away or hung up the cleats. Current stars from the Magnolia State include Dak Prescott, A.J. Brown, Jeffery Simmons, D.K. Metcalf, Chris Jones, and Laremy Tunsil, among plenty of other professional standouts.
Now, a new wave of Mississippians or players affiliated with the state will look to join the ranks of other superb football stars who have shone in the NFL. Follow along to see where Mississippi-based prospects landed in this year’s draft:
Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen — Round 1, pick No. 16 (Arizona Cardinals)
The Arizona Cardinals have banked on Ole Miss standout to complement Calais Campbell on the defensive line. Nolen, ESPN’s No. 3-ranked defensive tackle in this year’s class, had 48 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and two pass deflections last season. The former No. 1 overall prospect out of high school rarely had an opponent lined up across from him that could match his physicality. He is expected to make an immediate impact on the field.
Nolen is the first Ole Miss defensive lineman to be selected in the first round since Robert Nkemdiche was picked up by the Cardinals with the No. 29 pick of the 2016 draft.
With the No. 16 overall pick in the 2025 @NFLDraft, the @AZCardinals select Walter Nolen. @NewEraCap
📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/q4fktULIeF
— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2025
Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart — Round 1, pick No. 25 (New York Giants)
The New York Giants traded their way into landing Jaxson Dart, one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s class. Dart shattered just about every record held by former Rebel greats like Eli Manning, Chad Kelly, Bo Wallace, and Matt Corral. He is now Lane Kiffin’s inaugural quarterback to be selected in the first round as a head coach.
During his time with the Rebels, Dart logged 10,214 yards and 68 touchdowns in the air along with 1,457 yards and 12 scores on the ground. He compiled a 28-10 overall record as the Rebels’ starter and led the program to its first 11-win season. He is the first Ole Miss quarterback drafted in the first round since Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl winner, was selected by the then-San Diego Chargers with the No. 1 pick. Manning never played for the Chargers and spent his entire pro career as a Giant.
With the No. 25 overall pick in the 2025 @NFLDraft, the @Giants select Jaxson Dart. @NewEraCap
📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/8lpmJwDfLK
— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2025
