Y’all ever see a QB lay it all out on the line like Jaxson Dart? This dude ain’t just making headlines—he’s carving out a legacy with a sledgehammer. On December 27th, the Ole Miss gunslinger hit Instagram with a mic-drop moment, officially declaring for the NFL Draft. But that wasn’t all. Nah, Dart’s got one more chapter to write in Rebel red and blue.

Jaxson Dart just dropped a bombshell on IG—he’s heading to the NFL Draft! But he’s ain’t done rocking that Ole Miss jersey just yet. In a heartfelt post, Dart promised one last ride in the Gator Bowl, saying, “We have unfinished business. I CAN’T WAIT to put on that #2 Ole Miss jersey one last time with my guys.” After balling out as a freshman at USC, then making Oxford his home after Lincoln Riley brought in Caleb Williams, Dart’s story has been nothing short of a highlight reel.

Now, let’s back it up for a sec. Dart’s journey from a USC freshman phenom to Ole Miss’s all-time great is the stuff of college football folklore. The numbers? Straight-up bananas. In 3 years at Ole Miss, he’s racked up 10,214 passing yards, 68 touchdowns, and even flexed his legs for 1,457 rushing yards and 12 TDs. This season alone, man’s dropped 3,875 passing yards with 25 touchdowns and a spicy 10.7 yards per attempt. That’s not just good—that’s “Rebel legend” good.

But here’s the kicker: Dart’s decision to play in the Gator Bowl against Duke is bold as hell. Plenty of top players would’ve hit the brakes, put the pads away, and focused on draft prep. And honestly? Nobody could’ve blamed him. But Dart ain’t built like that. “I promise to leave every ounce of what I’ve got on that football field,” he wrote. That’s not just a promise; that’s a declaration of war on mediocrity.

Dart’s ride to this moment wasn’t smooth. He ain’t got handed the keys to the Rebels’ offense. He snatched ‘em. Lane Kiffin—the maestro behind Ole Miss’s resurgence—bet big on Dart, bringing him in from USC in 2022. There was competition, doubters, and pressure. But Dart didn’t just step up; he glided, like he was born to do this. From beating out local favorite Luke Altmyer to becoming the winning QB in program history, Dart’s story is peak underdog energy mixed with a whole lotta swagger.

Jaxson Dart: Worth the risk playing the bowl game?

Alright, let’s talk risk vs. reward. Bowl games—they’re dope for fans, but for players eyeing the NFL, it’s a minefield. One wrong hit? Dreams could go poof. Just ask Jordan Travis. The dude balled out all seasons at FSU, went undefeated, and then on the last quarter of the season against North Alabama—bam—a leg injury in a throwaway game derailed his NFL stock. Jordan Travis missed the Orange Bowl game FSU literally got obliterated 63- 3 by Georgia Bulldogs. Later, Travis dropped to the 5th round with the Jets. That’s tough, man.

And let’s not forget Matt Corral, Dart’s Ole Miss predecessor. Corral took the field for one last ride in the 2022 Sugar Bowl but went down with an injury in the 1st quarter.. That injury hit his draft stock harder than a linebacker blitz. Third round—Panthers. You can’t blame dudes for opting out these days. The stakes? Sky-high. But Dart’s out here saying, “Nah, I’m built different.” He’s suiting up, fully aware of the risk. It’s loyalty on a level that’s rare in today’s game. This is more than stats or draft boards; it’s about sending a message. He’s putting Ole Miss and his brothers first—even if the NFL’s lurking around the corner.

Is it risky? Hell yeah. But Dart’s banking on heart over hesitation. And if you’ve watched this dude play, you know that’s his whole vibe. “To the Ole Miss community, I did everything in my power to make y’all proud,” he said. And y’know what? He’s doing just that—one last time, with everything he’s got. Come January 2nd, when Dart steps on that field in Jacksonville, it’ll be more than just a game. It’ll be a statement—one for the books. Whether he balls out or takes a hit, one thing’s for sure: Jaxson Dart’s story is already legendary.