Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart has officially tossed his hat in the ring at an opportunity to showcase his talents at the professional level.
The senior signal-caller declared for the NFL Draft on Friday after spending four years in the collegiate ranks. After making his freshman debut at USC in 2021, Dart embarked on a new opportunity in Oxford once the Trojans brought in a new head coach in Lincoln Riley and eventual Heisman-winning field general Caleb Williams.
Dart’s beginnings with Lane Kiffin and company were not marked without obstacles. Ole Miss was in need of a leader to fill the shoes of standout quarterback Matt Corral and Kiffin had two primary prospects at his disposal — Dart and Luke Altmyer, a Mississippian who had spent his first year of college shadowing Corral.
Once the 2022 campaign kicked off, Dart beat out the homegrown Altmyer and emerged as the Rebels’ starter in the season opener. He then went on to be one of the most storied players at his position in program history. In his three years at Ole Miss, the Kaysville, Utah native racked up 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.
In the process, he helped guide the Ole Miss program to new heights in the ever-changing landscape of college football, leading the team to its first-ever 11-win season in 2023. Dart surpassed Rebel greats like Eli Manning, Bo Wallace, and Chad Kelly as the top passer and winningest quarterback in Ole Miss history during the 2024 campaign. His most recent success was recognized at the state level this year when he received the Conerly Trophy.
Off the field, Dart was notorious for being a leader — one who helped Ole Miss accumulate the pieces of one of the best rosters the program has ever fielded and one who handed out stuffed animals to youth at Mississippi’s children’s hospital during the holiday season.
Though Dart played his last game in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Black Friday when the Rebels ousted Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, Ole Miss fans will have one more chance to watch the star player in action on January 2. No. 14 Ole Miss (9-3, 5-3, SEC) will conclude the season against Duke in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl after falling just short of reaching the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
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“I can say with absolute certainty, that I gave it everything I had, to bring you wins, success, and excitement. I will never, ever forget your love and support. THANK YOU,” a portion of Dart’s announcement on X reads. “All of this being said, we have unfinished business. I CAN’T WAIT to put on that #2 Ole Miss jersey for one last ride with my guys before beginning preparation for the 2025 NFL Draft. As always, I promise to leave every ounce of what I’ve got on that football field one last time for Ole Miss. THANK YOU and Hotty Toddy!”
— Jaxson Dart (@JaxsonDart) December 27, 2024
As things stand, Dart is listed as a top-10 quarterback prospect by most draft experts. He will likely be a day two or day three selection once the draft kicks off from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Thursday, April 24. Nonetheless, Dart will inevitably suit up for another team, but Ole Miss will always hold a special place in his heart.
“Oxford took me in and helped me make countless memories. The heartbreaks, the triumphs, we’ve done it all together,” Dart said. “My time playing here may be almost over, but I will be an Ole Miss Rebel forever.”
Other notable Ole Miss football players expected to receive a call from an NFL organization include defensive tackle Walter Nolen, edge rusher Princely Umanmielen, defensive back Trey Amos, wide receiver Tre Harris, linebacker Chris Paul, Jr., defensive end Jared Ivey, wide receiver Jordan Watkins, tight end Caden Prieskorn, and defensive tackle JJ Pegues.
