Let me set the scene for you: It’s the Gator Bowl, and Jaxson Dart is out there playing like his life depends on it. Ole Miss? Not even sniffing the playoffs. Dart? Already declared for the NFL. But here he was, risking it all in a game that didn’t technically matter. The Rebels crushed Duke 52-20, but postgame, it wasn’t the scoreboard that had people talking. It was Lane Kiffin and his slick mix of praise and shade for his QB1. And now, with eligibility rumors swirling and NCAA v House settlement drama thick in the air, Dart’s future? It’s certain but something’s hot just creeped in.

After the game, Lane Kiffin threw some love (and shade) his QB’s way: “I love him—except for that last play when he checks to a pass we didn’t call. He’ll learn some class, but he’s awesome.” The room laughed; Dart probably didn’t. That mix of humor and heat? Classic Kiffin. But then he took it up a notch, joking about Dart maybe filing a waiver to come back for another year. Wait, what? The QB’s NFL path was set—or so we thought. This wasn’t just a throwaway comment. Kiffin’s words had a ripple effect, especially with fans wondering if Dart could be lured back. “You never know,” Kiffin teased with that signature smirk. Sure, it felt like a joke, but knowing Kiffin, there’s always a bit of truth hidden in his sarcasm.

On the January 7th episode of ‘Cover 3′ podcast, Chip Patterson added fuel: “As we get closer to these dates, finalizing the details of the house settlement has gotten a lot more complicated. He wrote that he believed he was getting less confident about having some finality on that. So, the answer for Jackson Dart might be that he’s screwed with everything hanging in the balance. He has to choose between declaring for the NFL… or waiting for an eligibility ruling.”  The situation for Jaxson Dart is low-key messed up with house settlement v NCAA and time is absolutely not on his side, but does it actually matter for Jaxson Dart?

NFL or NCAA: The clock’s ticking and draft

Here’s bit hypothecial run. Dart is technically out of eligibility, but with the NCAA messing around with the potential for five-year eligibility extensions, nothing feels certain. There’s even a massive settlement hearing looming on April 7, 2025. By then, Dart would be prepping for the NFL Draft. So, what’s he supposed to do? Bet on a waiver coming through last-minute or stick with his NFL dream?

If Dart’s performance against Duke wasn’t enough to solidify his draft stock, Kiffin made sure the world was paying attention. “You never know. Maybe he’ll file a waiver and come back another year,” he told ESPN’s Taylor McGregor. She pushed him, asking if he was serious. His answer? A classic signature smirk and a “Maybe.” Kiffin wasn’t just hyping his QB for fun, though. The numbers don’t lie: Dart tore through Duke’s Top 15 defense, breaking Eli Manning’s college records along the way. Analyst Travis May even called Dart a top-two QB in the draft class, saying, “Hope he continues to rise in #NFLDraft season. He deserves it.” 

Alright let’s get real now, Would it even make sense for Dart to stay? That depends on what the NCAA decides. If the five-year eligibility rule passes, Dart might have just enough time to slide back into college ball. But waiting around for an April decision feels like a gamble, especially with NFL deadlines creeps. But deep down, we all know that Jaxson Dart ain’t staying in the college, he’s already put his name in the goblet of fire(NFL Draft). So that’s how it goes.