We are just under 24 hours away from the 2025 NFL Draft, and Ole Miss is set to have many players drafted over the three days. One of those is quarterback Jaxson Dart, one of this cycle's more polarizing draft prospects. Some believe he is a first-round pick; others think he has a day 2 grade.
Whether he is selected does not limit his chances of being a successful quarterback in the NFL. A recent example is San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy, who was the 'Mr. Irrelevant' pick in the 2022 draft, a player picked with the final selection in the seventh round.
Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith spoke to Betway Insider and said Dart has qualities that can see him succeed as an NFL quarterback.
"I do and it’s Jaxson Dart. Dart has the physical makeup to be a very good NFL quarterback. He’s the next best guy after Ward and Sanders"Mike Smith
Smith was the head coach of the Falcons from 2008 to 2014. He also won Super Bowl XXXV while at Baltimore as the defensive line coach. Smith named Riley Leonard as another prospect behind the top two of Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, who, in his words, "could surprise a lot of people in the NFL."
The most likely destination for Dart is early in the second round, with the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints as possible destinations. Speaking on the Up & Adams show with Kay Adams, Dart said he models his game on Jalen Hurts. Hurts' previous offensive coordinator coach in Philly was Kellen Moore, who is now the head coach at the Saints.
Jaxon Dart models his game after Jalen Hurts.
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) April 23, 2025
Jalen Hurts' Super Bowl OC Kellen Moore is now the head coach of the Saints.
You do the math.
pic.twitter.com/BTM88Iwllw
Dart also confirmed he would enjoy the Utah draft with his family, friends, and former coaches. It will be a special moment for the Ole Miss program record holder in passing yards when he hears his name called.