As the Senior Bowl takes place this week, a handful of NFL hopefuls are working their wares in front of the scouts hoping to boost themselves up in the draft. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart could well play himself into the first round.
Dart had a tremendous career at Ole Miss, and he’s put on a good early showing at the Senior Bowl.
It’s not quite the same as in college. For one, you’re having to learn everything on the fly.
“Yeah I think a lot of times in the NFL there’s so much longer verbiage and terminology, which create over time a shortened-down (version) so we can play faster,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said on an ESPN2 broadcast from the Senior Bowl. “But he still has a lot of the concepts, a lot of the knowledge for it. And he can adapt to anything, so he’ll be awesome.”
After transferring from USC to Ole Miss following one season of action, Jaxson Dart’s career took off in Oxford.
He threw for 2,974 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first full season in 2022. It was only uphill from there. He followed that up with a 3,364 yard, 23 touchdown campaign in 2023.
Then came the best yet, as Ole Miss pushed for a playoff spot in 2024. Jaxson Dart threw for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns, against just six interceptions. He also ran for 495 yards and three scores.
But the impact he had building Ole Miss up as a program was even larger. Dart would frequently host top transfer targets and recruits on visits, making sure they felt right at home in Oxford.
“I think it’s really unusual to have somebody like that,” Kiffin said. “We miss him now as our recruiting director. But he cared so much about his team, about his program, about the university. So in the NFL you’re going to get somebody like that that’s going to invest in the defensive players and getting to know them and spending time with them. Just really unique kid that comes from an amazing family.”
In three years at Ole Miss, Dart threw for 10,617 yards with 72 touchdowns and just 22 interceptions. He also ran for 1,500 yards and 12 scores.
Suffice it to say, some NFL team will get a good one in Jaxson Dart. Where is the only question that remains.
Lane Kiffin evaluates Jaxson Dart’s transition to NFL terminology at Senior Bowl
Former USC quarterback Jaxson Dart has been turning heads at the Senior Bowl this week as he prepares for the next chapter of his football career. One person who has been closely monitoring Dart’s progress is Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who had the opportunity to work with Dart during his time at USC.
Kiffin, who has a keen eye for quarterback talent, has been impressed with Dart’s ability to quickly pick up on NFL terminology and concepts during Senior Bowl practices. In a recent interview, Kiffin praised Dart for his football IQ and his willingness to put in the work to learn and adapt to the pro game.
“He’s been really impressive so far,” Kiffin said. “Jaxson has a natural feel for the game and he’s been able to grasp our offensive system quickly. He’s been asking all the right questions and showing a real hunger to learn and improve.”
Dart, who declared for the NFL draft after just two seasons at USC, is seen as a rising prospect in this year’s quarterback class. With his strong arm and playmaking ability, Dart has the potential to make a splash at the next level.
As Dart continues to showcase his skills at the Senior Bowl, all eyes will be on him as he looks to impress NFL scouts and coaches. And with Lane Kiffin in his corner, Dart has a valuable mentor who believes in his potential to succeed in the pros.
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Lane Kiffin, Jaxson Dart, NFL, Senior Bowl, evaluation, transition, terminology, football, player analysis
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