Can Jaxson Dart Hit The Bullseye: A New Underdog In New York?

The NFL season opened on September 4th, and many NFL fans were eager to see the Giants 25th overall draft pick, Jaxson Dart. However, that wait was extended because before the season started head coach Brian Daboll, named Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback for week 1.

This decision left fans wondering why the team spent such a high draft pick on a league-ready quarterback just to sit behind an aging Russell Wilson. This didn’t stop Jaxson, his work ethic and respect for his fellow quarterback, kept his focus streamlined. Jaxon was ready, he just needed a chance to prove himself and little did he know, it was coming sooner than he thought. Through the first weeks of the season Jaxson was only utilized for a few snaps a game—exclusively in the wildcat formation—but that all was going to change after Russel lead the Giants to an 0-2 start and were heading into a tough week 3 matchup.

The Giants were facing the Kansas City Chiefs in New York and they had all the tools to force an upset against the Mahome’s dynasty. However, the Giants fell to 0-3 after the offense struggled to get anything going. Russell Wilson threw for 160 yards and 2 interceptions while going 18/32. Russell struggled to connect with star sophomore receiver, Malik Nabers, and his frustration was boiling over. Nabers was visibly frustrated with the team’s performance and was arguing with head coach Brain Daboll on the sideline.

Malik and the rest of the stadium knew this was not going to cut it for this season, and the team had to do something to turn it around. After Russell threw his second interception and the stadium erupted in “boo’s”, Jaxson knew it too. His time had arrived, and he was going to prove he was worth the 25th overall pick. Shortly after the week 3 blowout, Brian Daboll named Jaxson Dart the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. The era of Jaxson Dart in New York has begun.

Jaxson was born on May 13, 2003, in Kaysville, Utah. Sports were always the center of Dart’s upbringing. With a name like Dart he was always destined to be a starting quarterback within the NFL—his parents knew what they were doing. Both his parents, Brandon and Kara, were athletes. Brandon played football as well, but was on the other side of the ball. He played defensive back for the University of Utah and was one of Jaxson’s main influences for starting his football career. His mother Kara was a multi-sport athlete growing up, she played volleyball, basketball and track. It definitely explains Dart’s throwing ability and explosive athleticism.

As for the beginning of Jaxson’s athletic career, he started playing football at Roy High school but transferred to Corner Canyon High School for his senior year. This senior campaign by Dart put his name on the map earning national honors, setting state records, and establishing himself as a promising college prospect. In 2021 he started his collegiate career at USC—where he had a slightly underwhelming start. He only started in 3 games of the 6 he played; he threw for 9 touchdowns but also had 5 interceptions.

Jaxson needed a change of scenery and a chance to be the main guy. He transferred to Ole Miss in 2022, and this is when Jaxson Dart became a household name and had thousands of young football players wearing his iconic Anakin Skywalker eye black; Jaxson is obsessed with Star Wars and wears his eye black over his right eye like how Anakin’s scar is. Jaxson’s time at Ole Miss lead him to First-Team All-SEC in 2024, a finalist for multiple major quarterback awards such as the Manning Award, Golden Arm, and earned All-America Honorable Mention. His 3.71 GPA and consistent production led him to be one of the top quarterback recruits entering the 2025 NFL Draft. And as the 25th overall pick, Brian Daboll got his guy, and Jaxson Dart became a New York Giant.

NFL and especially Giants fans—who have had a rough go at quarterback after Eli Manning—are biting at the nail to see the exciting young prospect and what the rest of the 25-26 season will entail. The sky is the limit for this new look “G-men” squad and we will all be tuning in. Could the playoffs be on the horizon for the Giants?