Jackson Dart Shines in Ole Miss Season Opener – Highlights, Stats & What’s Next for the Star QB

Jaxson Dart primed for first live NFL snaps as Giants open preseason New York—When the New York Giants selected Ole Miss record-setter Jaxson Dart—often searched online as “jackson dart”—with the 25th pick in April, they made him only the third Rebel quarterback ever drafted in Round 1, joining Archie and Eli Manning. Four months later, the 22-year-old rookie is expected to take his first professional snaps tonight in Buffalo, and interest around his debut has pushed his name back to the top of football search trends. College résumé that turned heads • Ole Miss career leader in wins (28) and passing yards (10,617) • Fourth-most total offense in SEC history (12,115 yards) • 2024 Gator Bowl MVP, Conerly Trophy winner and first-team All-SEC • Led FBS last season in yards per attempt (10.8) and total offense (4,774) That productivity convinced the Giants to make Dart the heir-apparent in Brian Daboll’s quarterback room. “He’s smart, aggressive with the football, and he’s progressed every week,” Daboll said at minicamp, noting that the staff purposefully “throws a lot” at the rookie before paring the playbook down. Lane Kiffin, who unleashed Dart’s down-field mentality in Oxford, calls him the “complete package”—quick processor, charismatic leader and an underrated runner willing to lower a shoulder when a first down is on the line. Keeping that edge without taking unnecessary hits has been a point of emphasis in camp. Depth-chart dynamics Veteran Russell Wilson, signed to a one-year deal, tops the current unofficial depth chart, with Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito offering experience behind him. Dart is listed fourth, but the Giants have split preseason reps evenly. His series tonight should provide the first real data point on how quickly he can push for QB2. Why Buffalo matters 1. Live bullets: Training-camp accuracy has hovered near 70 percent, but facing the Bills’ second-team defense will reveal how well Dart “chunks” information in real time, a trait Kiffin praises. 2. Pocket poise: Scouts applauded his combine footwork yet questioned internal clock consistency. Daboll wants to see him hit rhythm throws on time. 3. Play-action deep shots: Ole Miss led the nation in completions of 40+ yards last fall, and the Giants’ revamped receiving corps—headlined by rookie Malik Nabers—expects similar vertical aggression. How New York is adjusting the offense • More pistol looks to mirror Dart’s RPO success at Ole Miss • Coach-to-QB helmet communication, now legal in college, already familiar to him • Sprint-out packages that cut the field in half while highlighting his mobility Long-term outlook Eli Manning needed two months of the 2004 season before overtaking Kurt Warner; Patrick Mahomes sat a full year. The Giants insist they will “let the process play out,” but a crisp August could fast-track Dart’s timetable. Remember the name spelling Search volume indicates thousands mistakenly type “Jackson Dart” instead of “Jaxson.” The quarterback laughed about it at rookie orientation, promising, “As long as they’re watching, they can spell it however they want.” Giants fans will get their first extended watch tonight. Quick facts Height/weight: 6-3, 220 lbs Birthplace: Kaysville, Utah Draft slot: Round 1, Pick 25—highest by a Rebel QB since Eli in 2004 Kickoff for Giants-Bills is 7 p.m. ET. Whether he throws two passes or twenty, “jackson dart” will again dominate search bars the moment he takes the huddle.