Changing the Giants' DNA: Dart and Skattebo Spark a New Era

Jaxson Dart is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the New York Giants in the NFL. Born on May 13, 2003, in Kaysville, Utah, Dart played college football at USC and Ole Miss, where he established himself as a highly productive and record-setting quarterback. At Ole Miss, he set school records for wins by a starting quarterback (28) and winning percentage (.737), finishing his collegiate career with 11,970 passing yards, 81 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions over 45 games, along with 1,541 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, accumulating over 13,500 total yards of offense[1][6][7]. Dart was selected 25th overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, who traded up to secure him. He began his rookie NFL season as a backup to veteran quarterback Russell Wilson. Following a 0–3 start for the Giants, Dart was named the starter for Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he led the team to victory, completing 13 of 20 passes for 111 yards and scoring a rushing touchdown in his first career start[1][5]. He continued to impress by leading the Giants to a win over the Philadelphia Eagles on October 9, 2025, with 195 passing yards and 58 rushing yards, becoming one of the few quarterbacks since 1991 to score opening-drive touchdowns in each of their first three career starts, joining Patrick Mahomes in that achievement[1]. Dart is noted for his distinctive under-eye black paint, inspired by a scar on the Star Wars character Anakin Skywalker, which he has worn since his college days as a personal tribute and expression of his youthful spirit[5]. At 6 feet 2¼ inches tall and weighing 223 pounds, Dart combines mobility and passing skills, making him a promising young talent in the NFL[1][3]. He is currently active with the Giants and is viewed as a key figure in the team's effort to improve its performance in the 2025 season[1][3][4].

Cameron Skattebo, born February 5, 2002, is an American professional football running back currently playing for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Skattebo stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds[1][2][3]. Skattebo's football career began at Rio Linda High School in California, where he distinguished himself as a remarkable running back. In his junior year, he rushed for 3,550 yards and scored 42 touchdowns, leading his team to a state championship[1][4]. Despite a limited number of Division I scholarship offers, he initially committed to Sacramento State, where he continued to excel with impressive rushing performances including multiple games over 200 yards[4]. He later transferred to Arizona State University, where he solidified his reputation as a top collegiate running back. By 2023, Skattebo was among the nation’s leading rushers, ranking ninth in career rushing yards among active FBS and FCS running backs with 3,755 yards and maintaining a 6.2 yards per carry average. He was noted for his ability to force missed tackles and convert carries into first downs or touchdowns at an elite rate. In 2023, he ranked highly in all-purpose yards and was recognized for his resilience and leadership on the field, notably guiding Arizona State to the College Football Playoff despite the program’s underdog status[5][6]. Skattebo’s college career was marked by standout performances, including a memorable game against Texas where he overcame physical adversity to deliver a heroic effort, earning him the offensive MVP award despite his team’s loss[6]. His combination of power, agility, and toughness has made him a promising talent as he begins his professional career with the Giants[1][2][6].