Jaxson Dart’s Father Left Emotional After Lane Kiffin Goes the Extra Mile for Younger Son Diesel Dart

The Ole Miss Rebels boast of a fabled lineage of quarterbacks to have passed through Oxford. The great Archie Manning once donned the red and blue threads. Later, the honor passed on to his youngest son. Eli Manning’s tenure with the Rebels was a resounding success, perhaps even surpassing his old man’s. He held the all-time record for the most passing yards for the program, with 10,119. Over 2 decades later, a very worthy successor laid his claim to this heritage. Jaxson Dart breached this record and a host of others. As he now ascends to the next rung of the football ladder, he may be leaving behind a parting gift for Lane Kiffin.

Jaxson Dart’s younger brother Diesel Dart is in the reckoning to be a future Rebel. Not as a QB, but as the position group’s best ally – a wide receiver. It’s easy to comprehend how the older Dart brother probably began quarterbacking as a kid and needed somebody to catch his throws. So, the younger sibling had to inadvertently form the other end of the nexus. Whatever the reason, the class of ‘27s Diesel Dart is a natural in his role. Oh, and he plays on both sides of the football for Corner Canyon High. The athletic genome in the Dart clan is working overtime!

Before the mind inadvertently sways in that direction, Diesel Dart’s pursuit via one of the biggest programs in the country isn’t a product of nepotism. This 6’2, 175-lb WR made waves in his sophomore year. Although he’s currently unranked, he’s announced himself to the football sphere in 2024. Expect the stars to align for Dart soon, quite literally. He was made a shrewd, preemptive offer by Ole Miss’ OC Charlie Weis Jr. In the wake of this amazing news, father Brandon Dart couldn’t contain his pride and excitement.

The first time was so nice, they had to do it twice. After Jaxson Dart’s stellar career in Oxford, Brandon couldn’t have asked for more. Yet, he’s receiving heaps. Already accustomed to the overarching school, as well as the intricacies of offensive whiz Lane Kiffin’s system, Brandon and Jaxson Dart would’ve been hoping for the same opportunity to come about the 2nd time of asking. Diesel Dart’s IG post announcing the offer read, “Extremely Excited and Grateful to say that I have been offered by Ole Miss‼️#hottytoddy❤️💙” Under this post, his father commented, “Darty in the SIP!!! ❤️💙” He could’ve used that exact phrase anytime in the past 3 years, and it’s somehow still relevant. A testament to his hard work and nurturing. The reverence these two hold for Ole Miss is apparent. So, is this operation a go?

Difficult to discern at this early stage. As aforementioned, this was only really Diesel Dart’s first season, where he showed real promise. Ole Miss’ offer is his only one yet from a program in the Power 4. With 2 more years of high school left, there’s plenty of time for a spanner in the works. If he can build upon his sophomore season, more offers shall ensue. But Ole Miss definitely holds a conspicuous advantage. Almost as if the family are indebted. However, there was one downside to Jaxson Dart’s time at Ole Miss. Something which may affect his NFL Draft stock by no doing of his own.

Potential disadvantage that Jaxson Dart has to contend with by going to Ole Miss

The general consensus is that Jaxson Dart is not going to be a Day 1 pick off the board come April. This notion stems from a multi-faceted rationale. While most of it is down to Dart’s perceived talent and tangibles, one facet is out of his control. Lane Kiffin’s history of developing NFL-calibre quarterbacks is a potential hindrance. 

The 2025 draft class is relatively weak at the QB position and certainly weaker than last year’s class, which saw the most quarterbacks picked in the first round in draft history. This actually bodes well for Dart, who’s on the radar of a couple of franchises. Conversely, we’ve seen Kiffin quarterbacks unable to translate their CFB escapades to the NFL. Remember Matt Coral? If you do, that answers the concern. If you don’t, it also does. Kiffin runs an RPO-heavy system, which Jaxson Dart excelled in on this level. But it does hide your potential deficiencies.

This may just transpire to be a concern that doesn’t materialize when push comes to shove in April. It’s admittedly partisan, and the sample size of Kiffin QBs isn’t large enough. Jaxson Dart is still graded fairly well by draftniks and analysts. Plus, at least in the case of Diesel, it’s a non-factor. If he is ever able to develop into a pro-level athlete. That’s what Brandon Dart will hope. For now, that’s extremely far-sighted. Just seek to continue this skyward trajectory you’ve set in motion, Diesel.