Rebels Reunited: Eli Manning Links Up with Ole Miss Stars Jaxson Dart and His Father
In a moment that resonated with nostalgia and optimism for the Ole Miss football community, legendary quarterback Eli Manning reunited with current Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart and Dart’s father, Clint Dart, in Oxford this weekend. The meetup, which took place during an exclusive team event at the Manning Center, brought together generations of Rebel greatness, linking past, present, and future in a show of unity and pride.
Eli Manning, who guided Ole Miss to remarkable success in the early 2000s before embarking on a storied NFL career with the New York Giants, has always kept close ties with the program that made him a household name. But this visit had a different tone—more mentorship than memory, more building than basking.
Manning spent a significant part of the day with Jaxson Dart, offering insights not only on the quarterback position but on leading a team with composure and confidence. Dart, who is entering his third season with the Rebels, has emerged as a pivotal figure in Lane Kiffin’s offense. His combination of arm strength, pocket awareness, and mobility has made him one of the most dynamic signal-callers in the SEC.
Sources close to the program revealed that Manning sees a bit of himself in Dart—not necessarily in playstyle, but in demeanor, leadership, and the weight of expectations carried on his shoulders. “Jaxson has the poise you look for in a quarterback,” Manning reportedly said during the closed-door session. “He doesn’t just want to be great for himself—he wants it for his team, his coaches, and for Ole Miss.”
Clint Dart, a former quarterback himself and a lifelong student of the game, relished the opportunity to meet and talk shop with Manning. According to observers, the conversation between Eli and Clint shifted seamlessly from film study to quarterback mechanics to life off the field. Clint, who played a key role in shaping Jaxson’s football IQ from a young age, appreciated the wisdom and candor from one of football’s most cerebral figures.
Their encounter also underscored the family-first ethos that Ole Miss has cultivated in recent years—a culture that attracted Jaxson Dart after he transferred from USC and that keeps Manning engaged with the program long after his playing days.
The reunion was more than just a symbolic photo opportunity. Insiders say Manning and the Dart family discussed quarterback development at length, and there is potential for ongoing mentorship through the season. As Dart prepares for what could be a breakout campaign that launches him into NFL Draft conversations, having a sounding board like Eli Manning in his corner is nothing short of invaluable.
With fall camp on the horizon, the buzz around Oxford is intensifying. And thanks to Eli Manning’s presence and investment, that buzz feels less like pressure and more like promise. In a program that honors its past while pushing toward greatness, the link between Eli Manning, Jaxson Dart, and Clint Dart is a bridge that could lead to something truly special in 2025.
