Before being selected 25th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart made a name for himself at Ole Miss. The 22-year-old set school records in passing yards (10,617), wins (28), passing efficiency (162.8), and most 300-yard passing games (15). His three years in Oxford, MS, will go down as some of the best in the program's 120-year history.
But it wasn't always Hotty Toddy for the Star Wars-loving sigal-caller. Dart's collegiate journey began in Los Angeles, CA, at the University of Southern California, where Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams changed his NFL trajectory forever.
After a stellar senior season at Corner Canyon High School, the four-star recruit held scholarship offers from USC, UCLA, Arizona State, BYU, Iowa State, and TCU. Dart ultimately chose sun-kissed Southern California after developing a strong relationship with the coaching staff. He'd enroll early, arriving on campus in January 2021.
He liked the scheme fit, the SoCal culture, the program pedigree and tradition, but most of all, the on-field and off-field challenges to mold him into an NFL player really pushed him toward that fish taco life, and to never look back.
Well — so much for that.
Dart's freshman year was filled with ups and downs. Clay Helton, the head coach who recruited him, lasted two games before getting fired, replaced by interim HC Donte Williams.
The 18-year-old was expected to redshirt his freshman year, but a lower leg injury to Kedon Slovis threw him under center for six games. He finished the season throwing for 1,353 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions, with a 61.3 completion percentage. However, with the program on the rocks, drastic changes were on their way, changing Dart's life for the better.
Coming off a 4-8 season, USC parted ways with Williams. The program was looking for a new head coach who'd restore the glory days the Trojans had under Peter Carroll. Their attention turned to the Oklahoma Sooners, where 38-year-old head coach Lincoln Riley was ripe for the taking.
Riley was viewed as the perfect hire to get USC back on its feet. Known as an offensive mastermind, the then-fifth-year head coach would surely be able to unlock Dart's potential, bringing the Trojans back into the national championship conversation.
That is, until Sooners star quarterback — and former No. 7 overall and five-star recruit — Caleb Williams hightailed it out of Norman, OK, to join his coach. Leaving Jaxson Dart with a clear path to the bench.
The coaching change and subsequent Williams transfer opened Dart's blue eyes to the transfer portal, where Ole Miss was anxiously waiting with arms wide open, looking for their next star quarterback.
The Rebels appealed to the sophomore very much. Not only would he be going against the best of the best in the SEC, but Dart would also have the opportunity to learn from head coach Lane Kiffin — a bit of an offensive juggernaut and quarterback guru himself.
The two shared some growing pains in Year 1, but by Dart's junior season, Kiffin and his quarterback were fully in sync. They led Hotty Toddy to an 11-2 season, capping it off with a Peach Bowl victory over Penn State.
His senior season was his most successful. He broke Ole Miss' single-season passing yards record with 4,279, leading the Rebels to a Gator Bowl victory over Duke, winning the MVP of the game.
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By the end of his final season, Dart had set multiple school records, becoming one of the most interesting prospects ahead of the 2025 Draft. His time in Oxford caught the attention of Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who demanded general manager Joe Schoen trade back into the first round to select the 22-year-old with the 25th pick in the draft.
They did, and the G-Men finally have their long-term answer under center. Turns out, it took a Caleb Williams curveball for both Dart — and the Giants — to finally find their future.