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It’s a good thing that Jaxson Dart’s Plan A worked, because there wasn’t another to fall back on.
The former Ole Miss quarterback — who gained momentum as a potential first-round pick and a potential option for the Giants in Thursday’s 2025 NFL Draft — said he “always expected” to be in this position.
“Quite honestly, this has just been something that I’ve just expected since I was younger,” Dart, 21, told The Post on Tuesday while discussing his partnership with Head & Shoulders.
“I never saw my future or anything else playing out any differently than what it has. So, I’m excited to embark on this next journey and this next phase of life. I have a great corner around me, family keeps me super grounded and we’re just super down to earth people.”
That next chapter could be with the Giants, who hold the No. 3 pick in the draft and are in need of a young quarterback.
“It’s a historic and legendary organization to play for,” Dart said of the possibility of playing for Giants head coach Brian Daboll in New York. “And all I can say is I’ll turn up the city and win a lot of games and win Super Bowls.”
Dart has been on teams’ radar leading up to Thursday’s draft.
Some evaluations have him going off the draft board before Colorado product Shedeur Sanders, who was once viewed as a potential top-three pick.
Dart emphasized that he was grateful to develop under Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin for three seasons as a starter from 2022-24 — where he led the Rebels to three bowl games and had the team in contention for the College Football Playoff in his final season.
“Being able to develop in college was huge for me because I felt like I was at the best place that I could have been to help me go to this next step,” he said.
Dart couldn’t help but smile when he was asked about his relationship with Kiffin, which he described as a “really good friendship.”
“It’s unique. I think for me, I’ve been able to make a special relationship with him, and it’s going to go far beyond just the time that I played for him there,” Dart said. “It’s honestly just really turned into a really good friendship. Even (sometimes) throughout this process, I’ve taken the trip back to Oxford just to hang out and go play pickleball or just be around the facilities and just talk about random stuff with him.
“My experience with coach Kiff has kind of been like a rollercoaster, I would say, from the first time that I got there to how I left it with them. But I’ve been super grateful and fortunate to play for him and just grateful for the special connection that we built.”
Now, Dart is ready for the opportunity to take his talents to the NFL while embracing adversity.
“There’s going to be a lot that I got to learn and embrace adversity and whatnot, but I’m really excited to just learn all the little details within the game and and really be the best leader competitor and player that I can be every time I step out on field,” he said.
As Dart has risen in draft evaluations, he has been linked to the Giants amid rumors and speculation.
On Wednesday night, Giants general manager Joe Schoen’s son posted a highlight reel of Dart on Instagram and then set his account to private, according to multiple reports.
Many fans took it as a potential hint that the Giants could draft Dart, potentially with the No. 3 pick or by trading back into the first round.
The Giants held a private workout with Dart before his Ole miss Pro Day.
The Giants are in need of a quarterback of the future after signing short-term deals with veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, but it’s a matter of when they’ll address that.
They could consider bolstering other positions with their No. 3 pick or take another quarterback, such as Sanders, arguably the most polarizing prospect in the draft.
Giants fans are excited about a potential future with Dart and he already has some New York ties due to his Yankees fandom.
“I can show you pictures when I was just a little kid,” Dart said of his trips to The Bronx to see his favorite baseball team.
“My dog’s name is also Bronx,” he added with a smile.
The Post spoke with Dart on behalf of Head & Shoulders, which is his go-to for haircare.
“I really care about my hair and it’s something that I’ve used for a while now, so I think I’m just fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them,” Dart said.
The quarterback was in Green Bay, Wis. when he spoke to the Post earlier this week, heading to the site of the draft “to kind of see if I wanted to make any last-minute decisions.”
Dart opted to celebrate with his family at home in Utah instead of being at the draft site.
“I’ll be going back home and being able to be with my family is a huge part for me,” he said. “You’re only allowed to get a limited amount of tickets for the green room and I feel like there have been so many people in my corner who have helped me through this process since I’m a little kid.
“I didn’t really see it as if it was all about me. I just wanted to celebrate this moment and be with my loved ones and as many of those people that have been in my corner along the way.”
Dart added that some of his former Ole Miss teammates and coaches will there to celebrate with him — but only after he fits a pilates class in his busy schedule.
“I got a few teammates that are going to come to town for it, which is gonna be fun to celebrate with them and all my family is coming through and my friends and coaches who I have had the pleasure of playing for,” Dart said. “That day is kinda of filled up. My mom made sure to make us have a pilates class in the morning and then I’m going to go play golf a little bit and enjoy the day.”
The 2025 NFL Draft begins Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the second and third rounds Friday and the fourth through seventh rounds Saturday.
The extravaganza will air on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
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