Jaxson Dart, ahead of the NFL Draft, breaks down why he idolizes Eagles QB Jalen Hurts

Former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart revealed how Jalen Hurts inspired his playing style and leadership approach.

Jaxson Dart, ahead of the NFL Draft, breaks down why he idolizes Eagles QB Jalen Hurts

Jaxson Dart, Jalen Hurts (Image via The Clarion-Ledger/The Philadelphia Inquirer)

In the last few months, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders represented all that the quarterbacks are offering in the upcoming draft class. As the Tennessee Titans locked in on the former, the latter’s alleged entitled behaviour and slight performance woes emerged, and franchises started their hunt beyond the two.

The search eventually produced a few options in the latter half of the draft. Nevertheless, there was one candidate who miraculously shot up the rankings to potentially become a first-round pick as well. And yes, we are talking about Ole Miss Rebels starter Jaxson Dart.

After transferring from USC in 2022, Dart had developed into one of the SEC’s most reliable and productive signal-callers. In his senior year, he earned first-team All-SEC honors, throwing for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns.

In a recent interview with Kay Adams, Jaxson Dart detailed one of his main role models. He admitted that he, for a long modeled his playing style on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, known for his poise and dual-threat ability.

“I like his intangibles other than just his physical ability. Like how he’s able to lead the guys,” Dart said.

Observers had noted how Dart mirrored Hurts’ pocket presence and mobility under pressure. Dart’s ability to adapt to high-stakes moments had drawn interest from multiple NFL scouts. His 86.3 QBR further underscored his potential to excel at the next level.

Dart had combined athleticism with strong decision-making, which aligned closely with Hurts’ evolution as a quarterback. Hurts, who won Super Bowl LIX MVP, has become a blueprint for young QBs aspiring to lead both through skill and character.

Jaxson Dart is climbing up and up with a new subtle hint

During the appearance on the “Up & Adams” show, Jaxson Dart also discussed potential team fits. Dart had smiled when the New Orleans Saints were mentioned, fueling online speculation.

Jaxson Dart
Jaxson Dart (Image via Imagn Images)

As the 2025 NFL Draft nears, the New Orleans Saints are gaining momentum as a leading destination for Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. Holding the ninth overall pick, the Saints have reportedly conducted extensive scouting on Dart. It has signalled some serious interest in securing him as their future franchise QB.

With current quarterback Derek Carr facing uncertainty due to shoulder surgery, the Saints appear poised to invest in a long-term solution. Dart, known for his arm strength, mobility, and high ceiling, fits the mold of what new head coach Kellen Moore may be looking for in his offensive system.

While the Saints are frontrunners, they face stiff competition. The Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, and Los Angeles Rams have all been linked to Dart.

As per Jeremy Fowler, teams are torn up about Jaxson Dart. The Saints, considering that they have done their detailed study on Dart, could be confident in what to do. But that’s not the consensus.

Teams are legitimately torn on Dart. While one will suggest his status as a potential first-round pick could be more of a media creation than reality, another believes he’s tracking for the first round because of his arm talent, mobility, and upside.

ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler said

On the other hand, Dan Graziano, another insider from ESPN, adds a different perspective to this. He suggested that Dart is gaining late momentum and could be the second quarterback selected in the draft, potentially prompting teams to trade up.

About the media aspect, the craze behind Jaxson Dart in the past two weeks is nothing short of a craze. He has been part of several interviews, and his name came up in expert panels one too many times. Dan Orlovsky went ahead and called him the steal of the draft.

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