Who Is Jaxson Dart?
Jaxson Dart is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the NFL. Born on May 13, 2003, in Kaysville, Utah, Dart developed into one of the most notable quarterbacks in college football before entering the NFL. He played college football at both USC and Ole Miss and was selected by the Giants with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Dart entered the 2026 season as a young quarterback with an important role in New York’s offense. In the Giants’ 2026 season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, he completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns while adding 54 rushing yards. New York won the game 28 20.
His combination of passing ability, mobility, and experience in a major college football program made him an intriguing NFL prospect. To understand why Dart has attracted so much attention, it helps to look at his journey from Utah to USC, then Ole Miss, and finally the Giants.
Jaxson Dart’s Early Life and High School Career
Jaxson Chase Dart was born and raised in Utah. He attended Roy High School before continuing his high school career at Corner Canyon High School, a program known for producing college football talent.
Dart showed quarterback potential during his high school years, developing both as a passer and an athlete. His ability to make plays with his arm while also moving outside the pocket became an important part of his playing identity.
According to Ole Miss’ official records, Dart threw for 2,440 yards and 22 touchdowns with eight interceptions as a high school junior. He also played baseball and was recognized as an all-state baseball player twice.
His athletic background helped him attract attention from major college programs. Eventually, Dart chose USC, giving him an opportunity to compete at one of college football’s most recognizable programs.
Jaxson Dart at USC
Dart began his college career at the University of Southern California in 2021. As a freshman, he appeared in six games and made three starts.
During that season, he completed 117 of 189 passes for 1,353 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also contributed 43 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
His freshman season gave him valuable experience against Pac-12 competition. Although his time at USC was relatively short, it provided an important foundation for the next stage of his career.
After the 2021 season, Dart transferred to Ole Miss, where his career took a significant step forward.
Jaxson Dart at Ole Miss
Dart transferred to Ole Miss and became the Rebels’ starting quarterback. Playing under head coach Lane Kiffin, he developed into one of the most productive quarterbacks in the SEC.
Over three seasons at Ole Miss, Dart completed 735 of 1,118 passes for 10,617 yards, 72 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,498 yards and 12 touchdowns. His Ole Miss career included 39 games and 38 starts.
Those numbers placed Dart among the most productive quarterbacks in Ole Miss history.
He finished his Rebels career with school records for total offense, passing yards, passing efficiency, 300-yard passing games, and rushing yards by a quarterback. His 28 wins as an Ole Miss starting quarterback also established a school record.
His Breakout 2024 Season
Dart’s final season at Ole Miss was particularly important for his NFL evaluation. He completed 69.3% of his passes for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and six interceptions, according to NFL.com’s draft coverage. He also earned first-team All-SEC honors.
His accuracy and decision-making improved during his college career. Dart became more efficient while maintaining the ability to attack downfield.
His final college season helped establish him as a legitimate NFL quarterback prospect rather than simply an athletic college player.
Jaxson Dart’s Playing Style
Dart’s game is built around several characteristics that made him attractive to NFL scouts.
One of the most noticeable is his mobility. He is not a quarterback who has to remain inside the pocket to be effective. He can escape pressure, extend plays, and gain meaningful yardage as a runner.
His college statistics demonstrate that running ability. At Ole Miss, Dart accumulated nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
He is also capable of making quick throws and attacking defenses vertically. NFL.com noted his ability to make pre-snap reads, get the ball out quickly, and push the ball downfield during his Ole Miss career.
At the same time, transitioning from college football to the NFL requires quarterbacks to process defenses faster and operate consistently against more complex pressure packages. Dart’s development in those areas is an important part of his professional career.
Jaxson Dart and the 2025 NFL Draft
The New York Giants selected Dart with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The selection required the Giants to trade back into the first round. New York acquired the No. 25 selection from the Houston Texans and used it to take Dart. The Giants had originally selected linebacker Abdul Carter at No. 3 overall.
Dart was the second quarterback selected in the 2025 draft, after Cam Ward went first overall to the Tennessee Titans.
The Giants’ decision reflected their interest in Dart’s arm talent, athletic ability, competitiveness, and potential for continued development.
Jaxson Dart With the New York Giants
Dart entered the NFL as a young quarterback facing the challenge of adapting to professional football.
The Giants’ quarterback situation gave him an opportunity to develop within an NFL system while learning from coaches and veteran teammates. His transition was particularly significant because NFL defenses are generally faster and more complex than the defenses he faced in college.
By the beginning of the 2026 season, Dart was the Giants’ starting quarterback. His performance in Week 1 immediately attracted attention.
Against Dallas on September 13, 2026, Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception. He also carried the ball 11 times for 54 yards. His passer rating was 134.2.
That performance helped the Giants defeat the Cowboys 28-20 in the opening game of the 2026 season.
Jaxson Dart’s 2026 NFL Stats
Because the 2026 NFL season is still in its early stages, Dart’s current statistics represent only a small sample.
Through the Giants’ Week 1 game, he had completed 23 of 29 passes, giving him a 79.3% completion rate. He had 230 passing yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. His rushing production included 54 yards on 11 attempts.
Those numbers provide an encouraging start, but one game is not enough to establish a full-season statistical trend. His performance over the remainder of the season will provide a much clearer picture of his development as an NFL starter.
The Giants’ next scheduled opponent at the time of writing is the Los Angeles Rams.
What Makes Jaxson Dart Interesting as an NFL Quarterback?
Dart’s background gives him an unusual combination of experience and athletic ability.
He played at USC before transferring to Ole Miss, meaning he had experience in two major college football environments. At Ole Miss, he became a multi-year starter and produced more than 10,000 passing yards.
His rushing ability adds another dimension to the offense. Defenses have to account for his ability to leave the pocket and gain yards with his legs.
His college production also suggests that he can handle significant offensive responsibility. Dart finished his Ole Miss career with 84 total touchdowns responsible for and more than 12,000 yards of total offense.
However, NFL development is rarely linear. Quarterbacks must adjust to faster defensive reactions, tighter coverage, more sophisticated blitz packages, and greater pressure on every possession.
For Dart, continued improvement in decision-making, pocket management, consistency, and reading NFL defenses will be important as his professional career develops.
Jaxson Dart’s Height, Weight, and Position
Dart is listed as a quarterback who throws right-handed. Pro Football Reference lists him at 6 feet 2 inches and 223 pounds. He wears No. 6 for the New York Giants.
His size gives him a conventional NFL quarterback frame while his athleticism allows him to contribute as a runner.
That combination was one of the characteristics that helped make him an attractive first-round prospect.
How Successful Was Jaxson Dart at Ole Miss?
Dart had a highly productive career at Ole Miss.
He finished with 10,617 passing yards, 72 passing touchdowns, and 22 interceptions in 39 games. His completion rate was 65.7%, while his passing efficiency was 162.8. He also accumulated 1,498 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
He helped Ole Miss reach important milestones during his time with the program, including the school’s first 11-win season in 2023. The Rebels defeated Penn State in the Peach Bowl that season.
His production and consistency eventually placed him among the notable quarterbacks in SEC history.
Conclusion
Jaxson Dart has followed an interesting path from Utah high school football to USC, then Ole Miss, and eventually the New York Giants. His college career established him as a productive quarterback, with more than 10,000 passing yards at Ole Miss and significant rushing production to complement his passing game.
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FAQs
What team does Jaxson Dart play for?
Jaxson Dart plays quarterback for the New York Giants. The Giants selected him 25th overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
How old is Jaxson Dart?
Jaxson Dart was born on May 13, 2003. He is 23 years old as of September 2026.
Where did Jaxson Dart go to college?
Dart played college football at USC and Ole Miss. He began his college career at USC in 2021 before transferring to Ole Miss, where he became a three-year starter.
When was Jaxson Dart drafted?
The New York Giants selected Dart with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. New York traded with Houston to move back into the first round and make the selection.
What are Jaxson Dart’s college stats?
At Ole Miss, Dart completed 735 of 1,118 passes for 10,617 yards, 72 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,498 yards and 12 touchdowns. Including his USC statistics, he finished his college career with 11,970 passing yards and 81 passing touchdowns.
How did Jaxson Dart perform in his first 2026 NFL game?
Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys in the Giants’ 2026 season opener. He also rushed for 54 yards. New York won 28-20.
What is Jaxson Dart known for?
Dart is known for his combination of passing ability and mobility. His college career showed that he could produce from the pocket while also creating yards as a runner. He was particularly productive during his three seasons at Ole Miss.
Is Jaxson Dart the Giants’ starting quarterback?
As of the beginning of the 2026 regular season, Dart was starting at quarterback for the Giants. He opened the season against Dallas and produced 230 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in the victory.
