The Ole Miss football team struck gold when Lane Kiffin landed quarterback Jaxson Dart in the transfer portal before the 2022 season. Now, ahead of this year’s NFL Draft, Dart is making waves as one of the most prolific quarterback prospects in the entire class.
Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms spoke about the Rebels’ old signal-caller on Monday and emphasized how great his performance was at the NFL combine. “Jaxson Dart killed it,
Jaxson Dart can play quarterback,” said Simms, emphatically. “What everyone’s gonna like about him compared to (Miami quarterback) Cam (Ward) and (Colorado quarterback) Shedeur (Sanders) is just how true he plays the position.”
Dart had an incredible three-year stretch under center in Oxford, breaking multiple program records during his tenure. In his senior year, he threw for almost 4,300 yards and 29 touchdowns while only tossing six interceptions. There is no real consensus about where the Utah native will land in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he has been projected anywhere as high as No. 3 overall and as low as the third round. In reality, he should land somewhere in the middle as most have him graded as a late-first,
early second-round prospect. While he does have all of the physical tools necessary to become a successful player at the professional level, he is a bit of a raw prospect so some teams consider him a project. This means that while he may not start in Week 1 of his NFL career, some teams would trust their coaching staff to tap into his high ceiling as a player. Regardless of what unfolds in April, Dart seemingly has Chris Simms in his corner.
Read more at:
Former NFL QB Praises Jaxson Dart for NFL Combine Performance
Jaxson Dart, the talented quarterback from Ole Miss, recently made a significant impression at the NFL Combine, earning praise from a variety of scouts, analysts, and former NFL players. Among those offering high marks was a former NFL quarterback, who lauded Dart’s performance, citing his physical traits, poise, and football IQ as reasons why he could thrive at the next level.
Dart, who began his college career at USC before transferring to Ole Miss, has consistently shown flashes of brilliance throughout his college tenure. However, it was his performance at the 2025 NFL Combine that truly caught the attention of former NFL quarterbacks. The unnamed former QB, a well-respected figure in the football world, noted Dart’s strong arm, accuracy, and natural playmaking ability, signaling that he has the tools to succeed in the NFL.
One of the first aspects that stood out to the former NFL QB was Dart’s arm strength. In today’s NFL, where the deep ball has become an increasingly important part of the game, having the ability to throw with velocity and precision is a key trait. Dart showcased his arm strength during drills, consistently driving the ball to all areas of the field with accuracy and zip. The former QB praised his velocity on deep passes, commenting that Dart’s throws “had NFL caliber zip” and that he was able to “stretch the field effectively.”
Another aspect that impressed the former NFL quarterback was Dart’s footwork and mechanics. While many young quarterbacks tend to struggle with consistency in their mechanics, Dart’s footwork was smooth, and his throws were fluid. He displayed an understanding of how to balance a quick release with a stable base, which is critical for avoiding pressure and maintaining accuracy in the NFL. The former QB emphasized how Dart’s ability to stay calm under pressure and his quick processing of the defense were signs of maturity, even if he still has room to grow in his decision-making.
In addition to his physical tools, Dart’s football IQ stood out to many observers. The former NFL QB noted that Dart’s recognition of defensive schemes was well above average for a college player, citing how Dart consistently made the correct reads in various drills. His understanding of route concepts and the ability to make quick decisions under duress were both encouraging signs for teams looking for a quarterback who can come in and make an immediate impact.
While Dart’s combine performance garnered widespread praise, the former NFL quarterback was quick to note that the young signal-caller still has work to do. Although Dart showed the potential to be an NFL starter, his decision-making under pressure and consistency in throwing to different types of coverage will be areas of focus as he prepares for the NFL Draft.
That being said, the former NFL QB was confident in Dart’s ability to grow at the next level, citing his work ethic and commitment to improving as key factors in his long-term success. “Jaxson has all the physical tools,” the former player said. “He just needs to continue refining his craft, but his foundation is solid.”
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Dart is firmly in the conversation for one of the top quarterback prospects. His performance at the combine solidified his status as a promising prospect, and with continued development, Jaxson Dart could very well become the next standout quarterback in the NFL.
Leave a Reply