In the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, all eyes were on the Senior Bowl as it served as an important proving ground for college prospects hoping to elevate their stock. Among the players that stole the show was Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, who showed considerable improvement in his performance during the week of practices and in the game itself. His standout performances in Mobile, Alabama, generated a wave of optimism among NFL scouts and media outlets, sparking a surge in bold projections for Dart’s future in the NFL. However, his senior year with Ole Miss, which failed to meet the lofty expectations that many had set for him, has led to some scrutiny of his college coach, Lane Kiffin, who faces criticism for not fully maximizing Dart’s potential.
The Rise of Jaxson Dart at the Senior Bowl
Jaxson Dart entered the Senior Bowl week with plenty of questions hanging over his head. After transferring from USC to Ole Miss in 2022, Dart had shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency. His junior season was marked by moments of high potential, especially when he showcased his dual-threat ability, but also by bouts of erratic play that left many questioning his NFL prospects. With 3,016 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 2024, Dart’s final season at Ole Miss didn’t fully convince scouts that he was ready to make the leap to the pros.
However, all of that changed during the Senior Bowl. Dart’s ability to showcase his arm strength, mobility, and decision-making process in front of NFL evaluators gave scouts and analysts a glimpse of what he could become at the next level. The Senior Bowl game itself became the exclamation point on a week of impressive performances that raised Dart’s draft stock.
Dart’s most noticeable improvement was in his ball placement and accuracy. While his numbers at Ole Miss were decent, they were often marred by inaccurate throws and a lack of timing with his receivers. At the Senior Bowl, he exhibited a level of precision that was more in line with what you would expect from a top-tier prospect. He demonstrated the ability to make tight-window throws, and his deep ball was notably more consistent, a skill that has often been a question mark for Dart in his collegiate career. This newfound accuracy and control impressed scouts who had previously viewed him as a project quarterback with a high ceiling but equally high bust potential.
What truly stood out was Dart’s leadership on the field. He showed poise and confidence in front of a crowd of NFL coaches and scouts, all of whom were looking for evidence that he could handle the mental demands of the NFL. His ability to lead the huddle, command the offense, and make quick decisions under pressure was a significant factor in raising his draft stock. Dart’s stock rose considerably after a solid week in Mobile, with some projecting him as a potential first-round pick, a stark contrast to where he had been projected prior to his Senior Bowl appearance.
Bold Projections for Dart’s NFL Future
After the Senior Bowl, projections for Dart began to shift dramatically. Several analysts began placing Dart in the first or second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, a significant rise from the mid-round projections he had before his Senior Bowl performance. His ability to throw the ball deep with accuracy, combined with his athleticism and size, made him an appealing prospect for teams looking for a quarterback with high upside.
Some experts even began comparing Dart to former NFL quarterbacks who developed into stars later in their careers, such as Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts. The comparisons were rooted in Dart’s athleticism, arm strength, and ability to improve his play over time. With the NFL increasingly prioritizing quarterbacks who can make plays with their legs, Dart’s mobility became a big selling point, especially for teams looking for a dual-threat QB.
While it’s true that Dart still has plenty to prove, his Senior Bowl performance has undoubtedly opened new doors for him, turning him into a potential draft day riser. Teams with offensive-minded coaches or those looking for a long-term development project may be especially interested in Dart’s upside, even if his consistency remains a work in progress. With the 2025 draft being deep in talent at quarterback, Dart will still need to prove that he can sustain this level of play through the NFL Combine and pro days, but there is newfound optimism around his future in the league.
Lane Kiffin Under Fire for Dart’s Underachievement at Ole Miss
Despite the positive buzz surrounding Dart after the Senior Bowl, there remains significant criticism of how his college career played out under the tutelage of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin, who has long been regarded as one of the more innovative and aggressive offensive minds in college football, has faced scrutiny for failing to fully develop Dart into the consistent performer that many believed he could become.
When Dart transferred to Ole Miss, he was expected to step in as the next great quarterback under Kiffin’s offense, following in the footsteps of previous quarterbacks like Matt Corral, who had enjoyed a stellar career under Kiffin before being drafted by the NFL. Dart’s skillset seemed tailor-made for Kiffin’s system, which emphasized explosive plays, quick decision-making, and the ability to read defenses on the fly. However, Dart’s time at Ole Miss never quite lived up to expectations, as he was often plagued by inaccuracy and an inability to execute Kiffin’s offense with the same precision that Corral had.
Some critics believe that Kiffin, known for his aggressive play-calling and high-tempo offense, didn’t do enough to help Dart develop into a more consistent passer. Kiffin’s offense is predicated on vertical passing and explosive plays, but Dart often struggled with timing, decision-making, and field vision, which are critical elements for a quarterback to thrive in such a system. The lack of a more balanced approach or tailored development for Dart’s specific needs led many to believe that Kiffin could have done more to help his quarterback succeed.
In addition, Dart’s struggles with turnovers—particularly his interceptions—became a point of frustration for fans and analysts alike. While some of these turnovers could be attributed to Dart’s own decision-making flaws, Kiffin’s tendency to favor aggressive, high-risk plays may have compounded these mistakes. Some critics argue that Kiffin should have worked to reign in Dart’s wild tendencies and focused more on building his confidence through safer, more controlled offensive schemes.
Conclusion
Jaxson Dart’s Senior Bowl surge has sparked new optimism for his future, as scouts now see him as a potentially high-upside quarterback for the 2025 NFL Draft. His strong performance at the Senior Bowl raised his stock dramatically, making him a likely first- or second-round pick. Still, his college career at Ole Miss raises questions about whether he fully reached his potential under Lane Kiffin’s offensive system. While Dart showed flashes of brilliance, Kiffin’s inability to harness and refine Dart’s skill set in the way that many hoped has led to growing criticism of the coach.
As Dart enters the next phase of his career, the question remains: will he thrive in the NFL as some now project, or will the inconsistencies that plagued his college career follow him into the pros? For Kiffin, the spotlight may turn from Dart’s development to his ability to help future quarterbacks meet their potential. Regardless of how it plays out, the Senior Bowl performance has given Dart a much-needed boost, turning him into one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Leave a Reply