When first-round pick Jaxson Dart eventually takes the field in a Giants uniform, whether that's during the 2025 season or beyond, he won't be the first QB from Ole Miss under center for Big Blue.

But he will be getting advice from his fellow former Rebel, future Hall of Famer and Giants legend Eli Manning.

Talking to reporters from the team's facility for the first time on Friday, Dart said "it's huge" to have Manning in his network and plans to take advantage of that relationship by using the two-time Super Bowl champion as a sounding board.

"I think I would be kind of a fool not to," Dart said. "Really any questions that I have, I think he's a great person to rely on and kind of lean on. He's been here, played at the highest level, won Super Bowls. For me, I want to chase greatness just like he did. I think that when you're able to pick the brain of a future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, you'd be a fool not to."

Dart added that Manning contacted him after he was drafted and is grateful for having the Manning family's support during his journey.

"He was actually one of the first people to reach out to me yesterday when the news broke," Dart said. "I just think that I've had such a great connection with him and the Manning family that being able to have them in my corner has been a huge asset. I couldn't be more blessed to have them in my corner coming here and continuing that in the future."

Despite trading back into the first round to select Dart with pick No. 25 on Thursday night, head coach Brian Daboll made it clear that veteran free-agent signing Russell Wilson will be the team's starting QB in Week 1 of the 2025 season. Knowing that, Dart said Friday that he's ready to listen and learn from the team's veteran QB while staying prepared for the challenge ahead of him.

"I think it's just a great opportunity for me to learn," Dart said. "They played at the highest level, won Super Bowls. I remember as a little kid I was watching Russ play, actually I have a jersey of him when he was with the Seahawks. Like I said, it's a surreal experience to be able to play here and play with those great guys at such an elite caliber. I'm really prepared to take it day by day and try to improve myself and learn from them as much as I can."

Dart said it's a "special" feeling to have a team express confidence in him being their next franchise QB. The 21-year-old noted the Giants have "an amazing plan lined up" for him with a development program, allowing him to learn from veterans before being thrust into the starting role. Dart added that he's stayed away from the media conversation around him needing time to develop and is concentrating on being prepared for his moment.

"Quite honestly, I just try to stay away from that as much as I can," Dart said. "I'm really just focused on being better each and every day. I feel like any time I step on a football field, I'm going to go out there and ball, regardless of who I'm playing against. I have that confidence in myself, but at the same time I understand coming to a next level there's definitely going to be a development piece. And that goes for anybody, regardless of where you're at in your career, if you're taking it to the next level.

"That's my plan, to attack each and every day, and to prepare myself for whenever my time is to come."

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