NFL Combine: Former Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart discusses impact of Eli Manning and potential of Austin Simmons
INDIANAPOLIS – The NFL combine is underway for 11 Ole Miss players, including former quarterback Jaxson Dart. The gunslinger has participated in interviews throughout the week and will perform in on-field drills later today at 2 p.m.
According to Dart and sources around the NFL, the Steelers, Browns, Raiders, Seahawks, Giants, and Cowboys have all established a relationship with him up to this point.
After breaking his Ole Miss record, Jaxson Dart looks to keep following in Eli’s giant footsteps
📰: https://t.co/trBlvOrEQY pic.twitter.com/VRo0QKL5nX
— New York Giants (@Giants) February 28, 2025
Based on the volume of teams expressing interest, it’s become possible that Dart will be a late first-round or early second-round pick. Wherever he may land, Jaxson is confident that his intangibles will ultimately set him apart as a top quarterback from this year’s class.
“I’m very confident with the player that I am. I feel like I can do whatever it takes to win. I feel like I am a culture and an organization changer by the way that I go out there. I was able to win at a rate that hadn’t been done before at the school that I was at. We all have different skill sets and things, but I feel like the intangibles that I bring to an organization set me apart.“
– Dart on his impact in the NFL
In addition to his attitude and overall morale on the field, Dart’s proven that he’s capable of competing at the highest level of college football, setting several records at Ole Miss and taking down elite college football programs like Georgia, LSU, and Penn State.
Despite his accolades, a small number of journalists have said they believe Lane Kiffin’s RPO system isn’t translatable at the NFL level, leaving Dart with this to say.
“I had an elite coaching staff this year… brought in Coach (Joe) Judge, who has won multiple Super Bowls and was also an NFL head coach. Conceptually, I’ve run every concept, and I’ve had reps at it. Coach Kiff, at one point, was the youngest NFL head coach, Coach (Charlie) Weis Jr. coached in the NFL, his dad won Super Bowls… they all know what it looks like. I think that’s kind of a lazy narrative.“
– Dart responding to criticism of Ole Miss’ offensive system
🎯📍
📺 #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/1eY7ZhjPTt
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) February 28, 2025
Impact of Eli and future of Austin Simmons
Just as the coaching staff has impacted him, Jaxson also explained that Ole Miss legend Eli Manning played a crucial role during his time in Oxford, guiding him through the ups and downs of college football.
“Eli’s been great, he’s been a huge role model for me and somebody who’s shed a lot of wisdom on me during my time at Ole Miss…he’s a legend. Anytime you’re around that Hall of Fame style of player, you want to take little pieces and learn as much as you can.“
– Dart on his relationship with Manning
Now that Dart’s tenure at Ole Miss has come to a close, Manning will have a new quarterback to become familiar with, and that’s Austin Simmons. In his interview at the NFL Combine, Dart gave insight into what fans can expect from Simmons in year one.
“He’s an elite talent. I haven’t really seen anybody like him who can spin the ball with his arm talent. He’s going to take a huge step leadership-wise… I think they’re going to pick up where we left off.“
– Dart on Simmons
Later today, quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs will participate at the NFL combine, including Dart, Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, Juice Wells and Ulysses Bentley IV. As always, stay tuned with The Rebel Walk for all combine and Ole Miss sports updates.
