Ole Miss has a rich history with quarterbacks. The legendary Archie Manning previously wore the classic red and blue stripe. He was selected second overall in the 1971 NFL Draft. Later, the honour was passed down to his youngest son. Eli Manning’s time with the Rebels was also a spectacular success, as he went on to become the first overall pick in 2004. Over two decades later, a very suitable successor has claimed the figurative throne down in Mississippi. Jaxson Dart is, statistically speaking, the most successful quarterback in program history.
In fact, he broke Eli’s yardage record down the stretch this season. However, unlike his predecessors, he is not seen as a top-tier NFL prospect by the powers that be.
Jaxson Dart is about to advance to the next level of football and turn professional. His collegiate career, which began at USC, has ended. Dart is unlikely to be a first-round choice in April, according to the consensus. This discernment comes from a multifaceted assessment. While most of it is due to Dart’s recognised aptitude and tangibles, one aspect is beyond his control. Lane Kiffin, his head coach, has a track record of generating NFL-caliber quarterbacks, which could be an issue. One draftnik and analyst looked at this idea.
The analyst used their “Broshmo” YouTube channel to share insights on Jaxson Dart and the rest of the 2025 quarterback class. The host ranked Dart as the fourth best in isolation, with a strong standing. However, this draft class is seen as weak at the position, certainly weaker than last year’s class, which had the most quarterbacks selected in the first round in draft history. While he was generally optimistic about Dart’s chances, the host mentioned a few reasons why franchises will be discouraged.
“The thing I’m unsure about with Dart is how he’ll convert to the NFL. Because we’ve seen Kiffin players struggle to make the transition to the NFL,” he explained. He cited Matt Corral as an example of this. Corral was selected in the third round in 2022 with the expectation of some upside. After hopping around teams for a few years, he is now out of the league completely. In 2021, he was chosen Second-Team All-SEC by Lane Kiffin’s Rebels. One thing distinguishing Dart here is that he was awarded First-team honours for his antics this year.
“Dart is someone you’ll have to sit with early. “I truly believe that, as he gets used to the NFL,” he said.
He believes Kiffin-developed quarterbacks fail to translate at the next level due to his RPO-heavy offensive strategy. While they work great in CFB, NFL D-coordinators excel at it because it is very simple. Kiffin may be attempting to change his point of attack. Nonetheless, a team will undoubtedly roll the dice on Jaxson Dart. One franchise, which has an urgent vacancy under centre, is apparently watching him.
The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the definite franchises looking for a quarterback. The Raiders are widely anticipated to compete for Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, the two top prospects in this class. However, it is not guaranteed that they will choose a quarterback in the first round. That is where Jaxson Dart enters the fray.
The Raiders’ roster deficiencies are so severe that they may engage in some acrobatics. There is a justification for the Raiders to trade back. This would allow them to make numerous high-caliber selections. Filling out the supporting cast with top-tier quality rather than focussing solely on a quarterback. Then, later in the draft, select a quarterback. Dart has been mentioned as a candidate if the Raiders move in that path owing to the possibility of him falling into the later rounds.
Scratching beneath the visible surface and assessing players on merit is critical. Talent is not transferable between various players. Despite Lane Kiffin’s tumultuous past with quarterbacks, Jaxson Dart has proven to be a cut above the rest. He’ll be hoping the Raiders, or anyone else in the same situation, will take a risk on him. Whether as an immediate starter or a development project.