Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart is getting a lot of attention as the 2025 NFL Draft gets closer. Dan Orlovsky, a former NFL quarterback who now works for ESPN, thinks Dart could be a hidden gem in the draft.
At the same time, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has been talking about Dart’s leadership skills. These positive reviews suggest Dart might do better in the NFL than many people expect.
Lane Kiffin and Dan Orlovsky Praise Jaxson Dart heading into the NFL Draft 2025
Orlovsky recently called Dart “the steal of the draft” and said, “two or three years from now, we look back and go, man, people were wrong on him.” Orlovsky watched Dart’s game videos and found them “a lot better than I anticipated.”
Orlovsky likes how Dart reads defenses and spots man coverage. He praised Dart’s “touch throw working in the middle of the field” and his arm strength. Orlovsky noted, “That ball is out of his hands before the receiver is going to run an out route,” showing Dart’s quick release and ability to anticipate plays.
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Kiffin has often talked about Dart’s leadership. After winning the Gator Bowl, Kiffin joked, “Maybe he’ll file a waiver and come back another year,” showing how much he values Dart.
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Kiffin called Dart “an amazing leader” who “came in, set records, and inspired the younger players.”
He was impressed that Dart played in the bowl game even though he had declared for the NFL Draft. Kiffin said, “For him to say he’s playing right away impacted a lot of our other players. He’s amazing.”
Dart’s College Career and NFL Projection
After moving from USC to Ole Miss, Dart became Ole Miss’s all-time passing leader, surpassing Eli Manning with over 11,500 yards and 90 total touchdowns. In 2024, he threw for 4,279 yards with 29 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
He completed 69.3% of his passes and had a rating of 180.7. He also ran for nearly 500 yards and scored three touchdowns on the ground.
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Scouts like Dart’s “above-average arm strength,” “quick, snappy release,” and ability to throw well while moving. Some worry about how quickly he processes information and reads complex defenses, suggesting he might need time to develop in the NFL.
Dart is known for being very competitive. Orlovsky described him as a “phenomenal competitor,” while Kiffin noted Dart’s self-critical mindset and how he owns his mistakes and constantly seeks to improve.
As the draft gets closer, Dart’s stock continues to rise, backed by his college success and strong recommendations from football experts.
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