"We only talk about Shedeur and Cam Ward, but this Dart kid is SLINGING IT": Ex-NFL star makes statement after Ole Miss wins Gator Bowl

Ex-NFL star Emmanuel Acho couldn't hold back his praise for Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart after the Rebels cruised to a commanding 52-20 win over Duke in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Thursday. Dart's exceptional performance not only led Ole Miss to victory but also sparked a conversation about his NFL potential.

Acho tweeted:

“How is Jaxson Dart not being talked about like a top 10 overall pick? Ole Miss fans, what am I missing?? We only talk about Shedeur and Cam Ward, but this Dart kid is out here SLINGING IT!!”

Dart’s performance was nothing short of historic. He shattered season records for passing and total offense previously held by Chad Kelly since 2015. His brilliance earned him Gator Bowl MVP honors and solidified his place in SEC history, surpassing 12,000 career total offensive yards—a milestone achieved by only four players in conference history.

In the game’s closing moments, Dart delivered a breathtaking 69-yard touchdown pass to his teammate, a play that wasn’t even scripted, as noted by head coach Lane Kiffin. With the win, Ole Miss wrapped up an impressive 10-3 season.

Jaxon Dart’s record-breaking night might just be the start of a bigger conversation about his place among college football’s elite quarterbacks.

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Jaxson Dart’s prospect in the NFL draft class after Gator Bowl

Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart has officially declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. After three seasons in Oxford following his transfer from USC, Dart closed his college career in style. On Jan. 2, he played his final game for the Rebels, leading them to a commanding 52-20 victory over Duke in the Gator Bowl.

During his time at Ole Miss, Dart made history by surpassing Eli Manning's program record of 10,118 passing yards, finishing with an impressive 10,213 yards. Dart’s journey began with the USC Trojans in 2021 before transferring to Ole Miss ahead of the 2022 season to compete in the powerhouse SEC.

Currently ranked as the No. 7 quarterback prospect and No. 42 overall player in the draft class, per On3. Dart is projected to be a Day 2 or Day 3 selection in the upcoming NFL Draft, which kicks off in Green Bay on April 24.

What’s Next:

Ole Miss concluded its 2024-25 campaign on a high note with the Gator Bowl victory and will kick off its next season on Aug. 30 against Georgia State at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Meanwhile, Duke is preparing to welcome former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah, who is reportedly set to receive a groundbreaking $8 million in NIL funding over the next two years.