Jaxson Dart

Early life

Dart was born on May 13, 2003, in Kaysville, Utah, to Kara (née Campbell) and Brandon Dart. His maternal grandmother Patricia Lenore Campbell was the daughter of U.S. Secretary of the Treasury David M. Kennedy. Dart was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He attended Roy High School for his first three years of high school before transferring to Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah. As a senior, Dart was the Gatorade Football Player of the Year after throwing for 4,691 yards with a state record 67 touchdowns and only four interceptions while also rushing for 1,195 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was also the MaxPreps National Player of the Year. Overall, Dart finished his high school career with 10,688 passing yards and 117 touchdowns.

In addition to playing football in high school, Dart was also a two-time all-state third baseman for the baseball team.

Despite an offer from Arizona State University and off-season training with former ASU quarterback Taylor Kelly in Tempe, Arizona, Dart committed to the University of Southern California (USC) to play college football.

USC (2021)

Dart competed to be Kedon Slovis's backup quarterback his first year at USC in 2021. On September 18, Dart entered the game against Washington State in the second drive of the game, replacing injured quarterback Slovis. USC was playing their first game after the firing of coach Clay Helton. Dart entered the game and threw an interception to end his first drive, but responded by throwing a 38-yard touchdown pass late in the first half. Dart finished the game completing 30-for-46 passes for 391 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. The Trojans defeated the Cougars 42–14, in a blowout win. Dart's 391 yards set the record for most passing yards ever by a USC QB in a debut, breaking JT Daniels’ record of 282 in 2018.

On November 20, Dart made his first career start against UCLA.

Ole Miss (2022–2024)

Following the 2021 season, Lincoln Riley was hired as the head coach of USC. Amidst the rumors that Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams would follow Riley to USC, Dart entered the NCAA transfer portal. Dart and USC teammate Michael Trigg then officially enrolled at Ole Miss, where Dart was the starting quarterback for all but one game for head coach Lane Kiffin.

Dart and Ole Miss won the Peach Bowl in 2023 against Penn State and the nation's top defense, where he faced eventual third overall pick and Giants teammate Abdul Carter. He ended the season with an NCAA-leading 180.7 passer rating. Overall, Dart started 38 games at Ole Miss, leading the team to back-to-back 10-win seasons and finished as the program's all-time leader in passing yards, surpassing Eli Manning.

Personal life

Dart has a brother and two sisters. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Fishing is a lifelong hobby of Dart, who credits it with teaching him patience. He has also been a fan of Star Wars since childhood; Dart wears eye black styled after Anakin Skywalker's scar since his friends thought the paint and his long hair made him resemble the character in Revenge of the Sith.

On May 22, 2026, Dart appeared at a campaign rally for U.S. Representative Mike Lawler, where he introduced President Donald Trump.