Why USC QB Jaxson Dart feels confident after spring football
Fresh off being named Gatorade’s National Player of the Year, the freshman is ready to compete and learn at USC
Rather than an interview, Dart was informed by the new Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback that he had been named the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year.
His Corner Canyon High (Utah) teammates standing around him, Dart leaned back in disbelief before leaning forward and saying, “No way, man.”
Despite starting all four years of high school, first at Roy High and then Corner Canyon, Dart wasn’t considered an elite prospect entering his senior year. But his performance while leading the Chargers to an undefeated state championship changed that perception.
Dart threw for 4,691 yards and 67 TDs as a senior, completing 69.6% of his passes while allowing four picks. He also rushed for 1,195 yards and 12 scores. Dart’s 3.98 GPA and volunteer hours at a food bank and other local organizations were also a consideration in the selection process for the national honor.
Dart’s interaction with Lawrence was brief. But with his high school buddies standing behind him, Dart asked the former Clemson QB for advice about going to college and learning how to be “the guy,” a title that Dart will need to compete for whenever starter Kedon Slovis leaves for the NFL.
“For me, what’s been big is just to always be yourself, don’t try to meet any expectations that anyone puts on you,” Lawrence explained. “When you go to a new place, you’re gonna feel that pressure to do more and try to be something that you’re not. You just don’t have to do that. You can be yourself and just go to work.”
But even with that advantage, Dart feels like playing in the spring camp was essential.
“I couldn’t imagine going in in the summer. I’d feel a little bit behind,” Dart said. “It for sure took me several weeks like I was stable and comfortable in the offense. But I feel like as time has gone on, I’ve gotten more in tune with my timing and the scheme and all that.”
At first, Dart felt a little tentative about the new stage. But soon his talent, with his arm and his feet, began to show.
After a few weeks, before the spring game midway through camp, Dart made a few plays in a red-zone situation and felt something click into place.
He will likely need to wait to do so in a true game setting. Unlike high school, Dart will not start for USC as a freshman, barring an injury to Slovis. So being on the sidelines will be an adjustment for Dart.
He also knows Slovis, projected as a potential first-round pick in the 2022 draft, has a lot to teach him and fellow freshman QB Miller Moss for the time being.
“The things that I can learn and help grow my game is really important,” Dart said. “I would just say going into this year I’m gonna do my best to put myself in the best situation so when my number is called I’m able to do my job and help our team win.”
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