In recent draft classes, quarterbacks like Bo Nix and Hendon Hooker have risen up draft boards thanks to pinpoint accuracy and smart decisions in the structure of a base offense. Add in some toughness and mobility, especially in Hooker’s case, and it helped make them more complete prospects.
There’s a player of that caliber in the 2025 NFL Draft class quickly emerging in Oxford, Mississippi. Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart is quickly passing his way into a higher draft range in the way that his similar predecessors did recently.
Through the Rebels’ first three games, Dart is completing an absurd 83 percent of his passes. He leads the nation in passing yardage with 1,172, throwing eight touchdowns against one interception.
While he’s not known for being an aggressive runner, Dart proved he’s got some grit to his game, too. This is a grown-man touchdown run against Wake Forest:
THAT’S MY QB 🗣️🗣️@JaxsonDart | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/XFoNSkAbh0
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 15, 2024
There are a lot of similarities between Dart and the 2023 Nix at Oregon, but Dart is proving to be more aggressive. Dart is throwing with a much deeper average depth of target (aDOT). Dart is currently at 9.5 aDOT for the season, while Nix dinked and dunked his way to his exceptional accuracy, with an aDOT of just 6.8. Dart’s ability to his receivers moving downfield in stride is more impressive than Nix hitting quick swing passes and comebacks at Oregon.
Dart and the Rebels haven’t really been tested yet in playing Wake Forest, Furman and Middle Tennessee. A matchup with Georgia Southern shouldn’t be too much resistance, but a September 28th date with a very good Kentucky defense will help the evaluation process. Dates against LSU, Georgia and a South Carolina team with a nasty pass rush combo will determine how high Dart’s stock can soar.
