The USC Trojans won't just watch new NFL talent enter the league next month. Even past Trojan starters will find a future home.
However, one former USC starting quarterback surprisingly replaces a past $305 million quarterback in Daniel Jeremiah's latest mock draft on NFL Network.
The draft expert presents this stunner: Jaxson Dart rises to No. 21 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ole Miss star Dart replaces Russell Wilson in this scenario. The former 2021 USC starter even heads to the Steel City regardless if Pittsburgh adds another past Super Bowl winner.
"The Steelers' plan at quarterback is not completely clear at the moment. Even if they were to land 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, they would still need a long-term option at the position, so they take another swing here with Dart," Jeremiah writes.
Dart is garnering new attention ahead of April's draft. He impressed many with his arm strength and accuracy at the NFL Scouting Combine. Dart also put together three-straight 20-touchdown campaigns in Oxford under another former Trojan: Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin.
The native of Kaysville, Utah is best remembered by USC fans for starting over Kedon Slovis and Miller Moss in the '21 season. Dart finished with 1,353 yards and tossed nine touchdowns to finish second behind Slovis. He also threw five interceptions.
Dart first won over USC fans by winning his first two starts. He shredded Washington State with 391 passing yards and four touchdowns in the 45-14 rout, then followed by hitting 109 yards and tossed two touchdowns in the 41-34 shootout win over Arizona. Dart, though, threw three touchdowns and three interceptions in his next four games.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder is entering the league fresh off delivering a career-best 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024. He's now projected to become the third QB taken in night one of the draft.
Related: Elite 4-Star USC Commit Compared to Amon-Ra St. Brown
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM.