First Round Bound? Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart will attend the NFL Draft
Jaxson Dart for months now has been trending as a potential first-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The record-setting Ole Miss quarterback did little to dull his momentum Friday at Ole Miss Pro Day.
High-level decision-makers for all 32 teams were in attendance as 26 now-former Rebels worked out inside the Manning Center. Among the head coaches on hand were Brian Schottenheimer (Dallas Cowboys), Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns) and Kellen Moore (New Orleans Saints).
Dart met one-on-one with Moore and the Saints following his throwing session, which closed out the annual NFL showcase.
“It was good to be with the guys again and have some fun one last time,” Dart said afterwards. “I don’t really care where I get drafted. In my mind, that’s just where the journey starts. I have bigger goals and aspirations than just getting drafted to the NFL.
“So, for me, I’m just trying to take it one step at a time. Whatever team gets me, I have the highest of aspirations. That’s what I’m chasing.”
Dart will attend the NFL Draft in April.
Ole Miss had just three players drafted last year. The Rebels expect double digits in 2025. The draft runs April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Dart threw around 70 passes. He worked with his wide receiver group from last season, led by Tre Harris, a likely top-two-round selection. Rising junior Cayden Lee was the only non-draft-eligible receiver who caught passes from Dart.
“I would say an organization-changer,” Dart said, when asked what type of player an NFL team will be getting. “Somebody who legitimately sets the tempo of how things are supposed to be done. Each and every day someone who’s consistent. Someone who’s the ultimate competitor and will do whatever it takes to win.”
Airin’ it out 🎯 pic.twitter.com/OODShy8EYp
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) March 28, 2025
Dart has met recently with, among others, the Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants.
He’ll take a Top 30 visit to the Steelers, a popular landing spot for Dart in mock drafts. They hold the No. 21 overall selection.
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New Orleans is No. 9, but the Saints then come back around with the eighth pick in the second round. Cam Ward (Miami) is widely considered the draft’s top quarterback and likely pick of the Tennessee Titans at No. 1 overall.
Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen is the likeliest first-round Rebel. However, Jared Ivey, Princely Umanmielen and Trey Amos have all received first-round projections as well.
Umanmielen believes his clock starts at No. 23 with the Green Bay Packers. The school record is three firsts in 2016.
“It’s not a surprise,” Dart said of the Ole Miss draft class. “We knew how much talent we had on this team and where it ranked against everyone else in the country. So, it’s not surprising, but it’s definitely something you’re extremely grateful for. You want those guys to achieve even more than yourself at times. We all are each other’s biggest fans. We want everybody in our bubble to achieve.”
Dart is one of just four players in SEC history with 12,000 total career yards.
He broke the single-season Ole Miss passing and total offense records, both previously held by another all-time great, Eli Manning. Dart reset his own school records for single-bowl passing yards and total offense as well.
He’s ranked as the draft’s No. 3 quarterback by long-time draft analyst Mel Kiper of ESPN. One NFL executive told The Athletic’s Mike Sando Dart could be an option for the New York Jets with the No. 7 pick.
