Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart leaving for NFL after Gator Bowl

Ole Miss standout quarterback Jaxson Dart said Friday he will declare for the NFL draft but will first play in the school's Gator Bowl contest against Duke on Jan. 2. Dart made his announcement on social media. "Who would have known that a kid who grew up in Utah would find his way to the great state of Mississippi in order to fulfill his college gridiron dreams," Dart wrote. "I really and truly came of age at this great University. ... All of this being said, we have unfinished business. I CAN'T WAIT to put on that #2 Ole Miss jersey for one last ride with my guys before beginning preparation for the 2025 NFL Draft. As always, I promise to leave every ounce of what I've got on that football field one last time for Ole Miss. THANK YOU and Hotty Toddy!" Dart has played three seasons at Ole Miss and set the school record of 10,213 career passing yards, surpassing school legend Eli Manning (10,119). He has 68 passing touchdowns, second to Manning (81 from 2000-03). Dart played his first college season for Southern California in 2021 before transferring to Ole Miss. He has passed for career highs of 3,875 yards and 25 touchdown passes this season while being intercepted just six times. The Rebels are 9-3 entering the bowl game. Dart isn't projected to be among the top five quarterbacks selected in the draft but will be in the next run of signal-callers. --Field Level Media