Jaxson Dart

Jaxson Dart, Mississippi, QB, 6022, 223, Sr

Draft Profile

Overview
 The tape shows two distinct versions of Jaxson Dart. In rhythm, he's a smooth operator who can carve up defenses with his quick release and precise ball placement in the short and intermediate areas. His ability to extend plays and punish defenses with his legs makes him an intriguing prospect for modern NFL offenses. The touch he displays on seam throws and his comfort level in the RPO game will translate immediately to the next level. However, Dart's performances against top-tier competition raise legitimate concerns about his NFL readiness. His tendency to abandon clean pockets and struggles working through progressions were particularly evident against Georgia and Kentucky's complex defensive schemes. The Ole Miss offense's tempo-based, one-read system masked some of these limitations, but NFL defenses will force him to process information more quickly and make full-field reads. When forced into obvious passing situations against elite defenses, his production dropped significantly. Given his physical tools and competitive toughness, Dart has the ceiling of an NFL starter - but his development timeline will be crucial. A redshirt year behind an established veteran would allow him to adapt to pro-style offensive concepts and develop his ability to manipulate defenders with his eyes. His draft position will likely be inflated by positional value in a thin quarterback class, potentially pushing him into day two consideration. While he could eventually develop into a quality starter in a system that maximizes his mobility and RPO prowess, expecting immediate success would be setting him up for failure. The team that drafts him needs to have a clear development plan and the patience to see it through.

Background

From meteoric Utah high school star to SEC gunslinger, Jaxson Dart's journey to the NFL draft has been marked by consistent evolution and eye-popping performances. The former Gatorade National Player of the Year began his collegiate career at USC before transferring to Ole Miss, where he rewrote the record books under Lane Kiffin's tutelage. Standing 6'2" and weighing in at 225 pounds, Dart's frame carries the bulk needed for his fearless running style while maintaining the mobility that makes him a true dual-threat quarterback. His final season in Oxford showcased the full spectrum of his abilities, as he threw for 4,279 yards with 29 touchdowns against just six interceptions while adding 495 yards and three scores on the ground. The statistical jump from his junior year wasn't just incremental - it was a quantum leap that saw him break multiple Ole Miss single-season records, including total offense (4,774 yards) and passing efficiency (180.7). His masterpiece came against Arkansas, where he unleashed a 515-yard, six-touchdown aerial assault that ranks among the most impressive performances in SEC history. Dart's collegiate career concluded with him joining an elite SEC quarterback club, becoming just the fourth signal-caller in conference history to surpass 12,000 yards of total offense. His 65.7% career completion percentage at Ole Miss, coupled with a 28-10 record as a starter, speaks to both his accuracy and ability to lead a program to consistent success. The evolution from talented freshman to polished senior was evident in his decision-making, as he maintained his aggressive playing style while dramatically reducing turnover-worthy plays.

Scouting Report
Pros
Displays exceptional touch and timing on intermediate routes, consistently putting the ball in perfect spots for receivers to maximize yards after catch Natural athlete who brings good speed to designed runs and scramble situations, forcing defenses to account for his legs on every snap Shows impressive improvisational skills when plays break down, maintaining downfield vision while extending plays outside the pocket Demonstrates advanced understanding of leverage in RPO concepts, consistently making the right read and delivering with accuracy Exhibits outstanding pocket toughness, willing to stand tall and deliver strikes while taking hits - shows some real dog in him Quick, compact release allows him to get the ball out rapidly in the short and intermediate game without compromising accuracy Thrives in up-tempo situations, processing defensive looks quickly and delivering decisive throws in rhythm Natural leader who elevated Ole Miss's offensive execution, particularly evident in crucial fourth-quarter situations

Cons
Deep ball accuracy becomes erratic when forced to drive the ball beyond 45 yards, particularly when mechanics aren't perfect Sometimes bails on clean pockets too early, needs to trust protection and work through full progressions Base can get narrow under pressure, leading to some throws sailing high in crucial situations Production showed concerning dips against elite defenses, particularly when forced into obvious passing situations Still developing ability to manipulate defenders with his eyes, occasionally telegraphs primary reads When forced into being a dropback passer for lengthy stretches - his production falls Production dips noticeably against higher-caliber defenses, struggling to consistently move the chains and create big plays

HISTORY -- From School Profile

2023 (JUNIOR): Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Preseason Watch List ... Enters junior season with 4,327 career passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns … Also owns 4,984 career total offensive yards … Enters 2023 ranked No. 4 on the Ole Miss all-time career total offense per play list (7.32; min. 400 plays), No. 13 on the total offense list (3,588) and No. 17 on the passing yards list (2,974).

2022 (SOPHOMORE): Started at quarterback for Ole Miss in 12 of 13 games played … Went 226-of-362 for 2,974 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions … Also rushed for 614 yards on 128 attempts and one touchdown … Was one of six FBS quarterbacks nationally and one of just two in the SEC (LSU’s Jayden Daniels) at both 2,900 yards passing and 600 yards rushing … Ranks as the sixth-best season in Ole Miss history in total offense (3,588), eighth-best in total plays (490), ninth-best in passing touchdowns (20), yards per pass attempt (8.22) and total offense per play (7.32) and 10th-best in passing yards (2,974), passing attempts (362) and passing efficiency (143.6) … Charted two of the top-41 longest passes in Ole Miss history, both coming against Vanderbilt on Oct. 8 … Ranked in the FBS top-50 in passing yards per completion (25th, 13.2), total offense per game (30th, 276.0 ypg), yards per pass attempt (32nd, 8.22), passing yards (39th, 2,974), passing efficiency (41st, 143.6), passing touchdowns (46th, 20) … Ranked SEC top-10 in passing yards per completion (5th), passing yards (6th), passing touchdowns (6th), total offense per game (6th), yards per pass attempt (6th), passing efficiency (7th), passing yards per game (7th, 228.8), completions per game (9th, 17.4) and completion percentage (10th, 62.4) … Also ranked 14th nationally and fifth in the SEC among quarterbacks in rushing yards (614) … vs. Troy (9/3/22): Finished his first career start for the Rebels going 18-of-27 for 154 yards through the air with one touchdown and one pick, along with 40 yards on the ground on four carries ... vs. Central Arkansas (9/10/22): Came off the bench to throw for 182 yards on 10-of-15 passing with two touchdowns through the air … Also ran for five yards on a pair of carries ... at Georgia Tech (9/17/22): Earned a new season-high of 207 passing yards after going 10-of-16 passing in his second start of the season … Also matched his season-high for rushing yards, ripping off 40 yards on 10 attempts ... vs. Tulsa (9/24/22): Finished his day 13-of-24 for 154 passing and a pair of passing touchdowns after earning the start at QB … Ran for a career-high 116 yards on just 13 attempts, his first 100-yard rushing game with the Rebels ... vs. #7 Kentucky (10/1/22): Finished his day 15-of-29 for 213 yards through the air and 15 carries for 40 yards on the ground ... at Vanderbilt (10/8/22): Passed for a career-high 448 yards on a 25-of-32 clip, tying the fifth highest single-game passing mark in program history and the fourth-most by an SEC quarterback throughout all of 2022 … Also tallied a season-high of three passing touchdowns … His 463 yards of total offense (448 passing, 15 rushing) ranks as the ninth-best total offense game in Ole Miss history … Charted two of the top-41 longest passes in Ole Miss history, a 72 and 71-yard strike both to Jonathan Mingo en route to him setting the top FBS receiving output across 2022 (247 yards) ... vs. Auburn (10/15/22): Connected on nine of his 19 passing attempts, accounting for 130 yards and three touchdowns through the air … Ran the ball a total of 14 times for a total of 115 yards rushing ... at LSU (10/22/22): Threw for 283 yards on a 19-for-34 clip, throwing one interception … Also ran the ball ten times for a net of seven yards ... at Texas A&M (10/29/22): Finished 13-of-20 passing for 140 yards while tying his career-best in touchdown passes with three against the Aggies … Also ripped off 95 yards rushing on 17 total carries ... vs. #9 Alabama (11/12/22): Finished 18-for-31 for 212 yards passing and a touchdown against the Crimson Tide … Also ran the ball 16 times for a net of 35 yards on the ground ... at Arkansas (11/19/22): Went for 240 yards on 21-or-36 passing with a touchdown and a pick to his name, along with taking 11 rushing attempts for an additional 44 yards ... vs. Mississippi State (11/24/22): Completed a career high 30 passes on 38 attempts against the Bulldogs, throwing for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns ... vs. Texas Tech (12/28/22): Went 25-of-41 for 361 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions through the air … Also rushed for 66 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries … His 361 passing yards ranked as the third-most in Texas Bowl history, and the most since 2018 … Broke Ole Miss bowl record for total offense at 427 yards … Rated as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 7 overall player in the transfer portal this offseason by 247Sports … Transfer who arrived on campus in January and participated in spring drills.

USC: Appeared in six games with three starts at quarterback as a true freshman ... Completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,353 yards and nine touchdowns ... Also ran for two more TDs ... Came off the bench vs. Washington State in collegiate debut to throw for a career-high 391 yards and four touchdowns ... Tallied 325 passing yards and one touchdown against UCLA ... Threw at least one touchdown in five of the six games he played in ... Enrolled early and participated in spring drills.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was the 2020 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year ... Earned Max Preps National Player of the Year ... Named first-team high school All-America by Sports Illustrated ... Earned Desert News Mr. Football ... Was part of the Southern California News Group Fab 15 second team as a senior quarterback ... Completed 240-of-345 passes (69.6%) for a national-best 4,691 yards and a state-record 67 TDs as a senior at Corner Canyon HS ... Also ran for 1,195 yards on 128 carries (9.3 avg) with 12 TDs ... Helped lead Corner Canyon to an undefeated season and state title in 2020 ... Named All-Region as a junior at Roy HS ... Threw for 2,440 yards and 22 TDs with eight interceptions ... Also lettered in baseball at Corner Canyon ... Named all-state in baseball twice during high school career.

PERSONAL: Son of Brandon and Kara Dart ... Full name is Jaxson Chase Dart ... Born May 13, 2003 ... Father, Brandon, was a safety at Utah ... SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2022 … Chancellor’s Honor Roll in spring 2022 ... Dean’s Honor Roll in fall 2022 and spring 2023 … General business major.