Jaxson Dart focusing on Peach Bowl before making decision on future

Bowl season is an interesting time of year, with opt-outs and decisions about the future abounding, impacting the potential outcome of games. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart doesn’t want any of that for the Rebels.

The talented gunslinger addressed his status ahead of the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, noting he plans to play in the game. He’ll make NFL Draft decisions at another time.

“The basic thing is I have a great support staff around me,” Dart said. “I have great coaches. Obviously my family is amazing, and I have great friends on the team. Honestly not too worried about it right now.

“Just focused on the bowl game and focused on my preparation and doing my job to help put my team in the best situation to win and help make history here.”

Jaxson Dart is coming off his most productive season to date, one in which he cut down on turnovers considerably.

The junior finished the regular season with 2,985 yards passing and 20 touchdowns, against just five interceptions. That was the best touchdown-to-interception ratio of his career. He also added 377 yards rushing and seven scores on the ground.

He fits the mold of what many successful NFL quarterbacks have become: a passing threat with the capability of escaping the pocket and creating on the run.

But where will he actually fit in the draft class, should he choose to enter? That seems more up for debate.

A current CBS Sports mock draft conducted by five NFL Draft experts does not have Dart in the first round. He’s likely a Day 2 prospect, something that could give him pause in a deep quarterback draft class.

In any case, Dart is focused on Penn State and the Peach Bowl first.

“Like I said, I have a great support staff around me that’s able to give me really good advice,” Jaxson Dart said. “There’s a lot of things that go into it, but like I said, I’m just focused on this bowl game and going 1-0 this week.”

The Peach Bowl between Ole Miss and Penn State will take place on Saturday, with kickoff slated for 12 p.m. ET and a national broadcast set for ESPN.