December 5, 2025 • 23 mins
Quarterback-to-Quarterback: CCHS grad and NY Giants QB Jaxson Dart speaks to Superintendent Robins about his time as a Charger, the lessons he’s learned through playing football, and what it’s like to hit the NFL field against the world’s very best.
The former Corner Canyon High gunslinger now in his rookie year as a New York Giant says the Chargers’ selection to vie for a national football title will raise the profile of all powerhouse prep programs in the Beehive State. “What an opportunity to represent — obviously the school district, but also the whole state of Utah,” says Jaxson Dart, the 25thoverall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, during this week’s episode of Connect Canyons. “I feel like this state is very unappreciated when it comes to a national landscape of talent.” As one of Canyons District’s most high-profile graduates, Dart took a few moments out of his packed schedule as Big Blue’s starting quarterback to complete a quarterback-to-quarterback conversation with Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins, whose play at Southern Utah University earned him a spot in the school’s Hall of Fame. In the episode, Dart, who also is the nephew of Corner Canyon High Assistant Principal Katie Campbell, reflected with Dr. Robins on Dart’s prep and college careers, the influence that CCHS Eric Kjar’s had on his life, and what it’s like to compete against the world’s best at MetLife Stadium.
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Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:01):
Welcome to Connect Canyons, a podcast sponsored by
Canyon School District.
This is a show about what weteach, how we teach, and why we
get up close and personal withsome of the people who make our
schools great.
Students, teachers, principals,parents, and more.
We meet national experts too.
(00:21):
Learning is about makingconnections.
So connect with us.
SPEAKER_02 (00:27):
Okay, welcome.
This is Superintendent RickRobbins in Canyon School
District.
And today is another episode ofour Connect Canyons podcast.
And we are honored and thrilledto have one of our uh rock star
alumni with us today, the NewYork Football Giants quarterback
(00:47):
Jackson Dart, former CornerCanyon alum and Canyons alum,
uh, also in the room.
Just want to recognize his AuntKatie is here with us today.
So we're super excited to haveher join us.
Uh but Jackson, just want towelcome you uh back and thank
you for taking time to visitwith us.
Um how are you feeling today onthe bye week?
SPEAKER_01 (01:08):
Yeah, first of all, thank you guys for having me
excited to uh connect again.
Like we talked about earlier.
It's been a little bit sincewe've um talked.
So just excited to be back.
Body's feeling good.
Um obviously, this late in theseason, it's it's very crucial
for us to have a bye week likethis to kind of slow down and um
you know try to just you knowfix some some little bangs and
bruises that we've had along theway, but um, excited for this
(01:31):
next stretch.
SPEAKER_02 (01:33):
Yeah, that's so true to rest up and get ready uh for
the next week.
Uh Jackson and I were justtalking.
Uh I met Jackson his senior yearin 2020 at Corner Canyon High
School uh during that season andanother championship run uh for
the Chargers.
He led us to a statechampionship in the 6A that
year, uh defeating Lone Peak uhout at uh Cedar Valley during
(01:56):
the COVID pandemic.
Um but I just want to mention,Jackson, one thing that that
that I what was really impressedon me about meeting you that day
was just your humility and justhow humble uh you are.
Uh you know, you're a starquarterback, uh, you don't have
to be that way, but it reallyspeaks to you as a leader uh
(02:17):
around your teammates and yourfriends, and now we see that
carry on into the NFL.
We're just we're so proud ofwhat you accomplished and what
you represent.
SPEAKER_01 (02:27):
Yeah, thank you.
I mean, all that stuff startswith your foundation and your
family.
So um, you know, I got my AuntKatie on here too.
So um, you know, grateful tohave all those people in my
corner.
Yeah, but I appreciate that.
SPEAKER_02 (02:38):
Just and I just so our listeners out there can
understand a little bit about uhJackson, had an amazing run uh
in high school at Corner Canyon.
He came out in 2021 as thenumber 10th uh rated quarterback
in the ESPN 100 uh ranking.
So he's he's highlyaccomplished.
Um something that that I wasjust reading this morning a
little bit, and I've followedhis career.
(03:00):
Uh, over his career in college,almost 12,000 yards passing, uh
1,500 yards uh rushing, which Idon't think Jackson gets enough
credit for his athleticism.
He he's an amazing passer, buthe's also a very accomplished
runner.
65% completion percentage and29-10 uh at Ole Miss, making him
the winningest quarterback inOle Miss history.
(03:23):
And that includes uh EliManning.
So uh very accomplished as a asa uh college and professional
quarterback.
And we all know uh his dad uh isuh a legend safety at University
of Utah for the Utes.
And then in 2025, uh Jackson wasdrafted by the New York Giants
as the Giants traded up into thefirst round.
Unfortunately, my Raiders didn'ttake you at number six, uh,
(03:46):
which I I predicted they would,and they didn't.
What a mistake that was.
Still hurts my heart.
Uh, but he went 25 to theGiants.
Um, Jackson, just take a momentuh for our listeners uh to
reflect on uh on that journeythat you've had through high
school and college and in intothe NFL uh on the football side
of things.
SPEAKER_01 (04:07):
Yeah, it's it's definitely been wild to you know
kind of take a step back and andlook through each experience and
kind of just like the mindset ofum you know different situations
that I've been in.
Uh before I transferred toCorner Canyon, um, you know, I
didn't have any attention forfootball.
You know, there was an in-stateschool who, you know, at that
time, you know, was Dixie State,and they had um some coaches
(04:29):
come through and talk to youknow my coaches at Roy, and they
didn't even know that I playedfootball.
And um it's it's kind of crazyto see everything that's come to
fruition up uh to that point.
And um, you know, just thejourney, the relationships that
I've been able to make.
Obviously, going to CornerCanyon was huge for me because
it put me on a nationallandscape.
And uh Coach Kerr and all myteammates did such an amazing
(04:51):
job of um you know supportingaround me, and and we really
just fed off of one another, ofmaking each other better.
And um we had definitely had aspecial run that that last
season.
And then um, you know, finishingout that year as a state
champion was uh definitely agoal of mine that I've had.
And then going to USC um whereyou know you step into a place
(05:11):
where you're really excited togo to, and um, you have all
these these dreams and and andhopes that things are gonna work
out there, and your coaches getfired week uh two of your
freshman year, and then there'sa whole bunch of um you know
movement, and you kind of getthe whole whirlwind of of
college football at that time atsuch a young age, and then
obviously transferring to OleMiss and just the amount of
(05:34):
growth that I had personally um,you know, just as an individual
on and off the field was um kindof you know, kind of just shaped
me into the person that I amtoday.
And and that credit goes to, youknow, obviously just the hard
work that was put in, but at thesame time, um just the people
that I've had in my corner to tosupport and lean on um, you
know, in in times where you'vehad a lot of success and then
(05:56):
times where you're really facingadversity.
So um I definitely feel likeI've just been in a really
blessed situation to um besurrounded by just great people
from all over the country tohelp um you know put me in this
position.
And then, you know, the biggestcredit goes to you know just my
family, you know, those who arealways there for me and and
people that um are just the rockof my life.
SPEAKER_02 (06:17):
Yeah, uh speaking of old miss, you got to be very
proud of the rebels.
You helped build the foundationuh for their success, and
they're obviously getting readyto compete and hopefully uh play
in the college football playoffcoming up here soon.
SPEAKER_01 (06:29):
Yeah, that it's gonna be exciting.
They've had a they've had agreat year, they have a great
roster.
Um, you know, nowadays there's athere's a big turnover.
You know, we lost like 20starters from the this past
season, and um just thatcoaching staff being able to
recruit and bring in the rightguys, and you can definitely
tell that they have a greatculture because they've been in
a lot of tough games or it'scome down to the wire and
they've been able to pull it outat the end.
(06:51):
So um they've definitely beenbattle tested, and I'm really
excited to see them you knowreally make a run at it this
year.
SPEAKER_02 (06:57):
Yeah, yeah, certainly.
And uh I I know you're veryhumble.
You deserve a lot of credit uhfor building the foundation uh
there in Oxford, and I and Iknow uh how much uh the fan base
loves and appreciates you.
So uh speaking of family andkind of thinking about the
podcast and this week, uh CornerCanyon High School is playing uh
(07:17):
for the national championshipthis Wednesday against St.
Francis uh for Maryland.
That game's gonna be on ESPN onWednesday at five o'clock.
It's sponsored by OvertimeSports.
And this year really is kind ofthe first effort uh in our
country that we're trying to geta national championship
established.
And so for Corner Canyon to bepart of that game uh is
(07:38):
something really special forCorner Canyon and Canyon School
District, and uh we're we'resuper excited about that, which
also includes your littlebrother Diesel's going to be
playing uh in that game.
So uh just talk a little bitabout what that means uh for
Corner Canyon to play uh on anational championship uh stage
uh in front of a national uhchampionship audience.
SPEAKER_01 (08:01):
Yeah, I think the first thing, just what an
opportunity.
You know, what an opportunity torepresent obviously the school,
the district, um, you know, butin my mind, you know, the whole
state of Utah.
I feel like, you know, thisstate is very underappreciated
when it comes to a nationallandscape of um talent and and
people kind of you knowovershadow other states when it
comes to to Utah.
(08:22):
So I just think it's anincredible opportunity.
I ran into Coach Kerr uhyesterday at my brother's
basketball game, and I was like,first of all, I wish that my bye
week was this next week so thenI could come and watch.
But I'm also just you know superjealous and and envious of the
opportunity that those guys getat playing that.
I mean, that would have been umyou know something that I would
have loved.
And I know all the teammates um,you know, during my time when I
(08:45):
was there would have loved toplay in this.
So uh what a great opportunityfor them to go play and compete
at the highest level against agreat team.
Um, you know, and for Deese andall the guys, like I know this
is something that they're reallylooking forward to, and they're
really to excited to put theirname um out there against the
best and on the map.
So uh I definitely feel liketheir battle test tested as
well.
I mean, obviously they'replaying a national schedule now
(09:07):
and playing teams from all overthe country.
They had a great test last yearagainst IMG and then um you know
playing that Brower team um andthen the team from uh Arizona.
So um excited for those guys togo out there and compete.
You know, I think that it'sgonna be a great game and it's
gonna be, I think it's I thinkit's gonna be a great matchup.
You know, St.
Francis has a great defense,corner has an amazing offense,
(09:27):
so it's gonna be really fun towatch them, you know, just go at
it and compete.
SPEAKER_02 (09:31):
Yeah, we're we're I think everybody around the
country is very excited to seethe talent on the field,
probably, you know, 10 to 15guys that are that are all power
for conference uh level playersthat are gonna be on the field
that night.
Um, you mentioned Coach Care,Jackson.
Talk talk a little bit aboutyour experience at Corner Canyon
and and just the impact thatCoach Care and other coaches
(09:54):
have had on your life.
I I think those of us that havebeen athletes, you know, we
reflect back on thoseexperiences, but I I think it it
teaches us such great lessonsabout life and sacrifice and
teamwork and all of those thingsthat that make us uh hopefully
productive adults.
Talk a little bit about thatexperience that you had at
Corner Canyon.
SPEAKER_01 (10:15):
Yeah, I mean, you know, for me, uh I went to Roy
High School for my first threeyears and um I got to play for a
legendary coach and CoachFernandez and um somebody who
was a great mentor for me in mytime and um you know really
helped develop me and really putlike a chip on my shoulder to,
you know, chase, you know, thedreams that I had.
And um, you know, he was a hugeadvocate actually for me to make
(10:38):
that move to Corner Canyon, um,you know, just to you know give
myself a little bit moreexposure and and notice.
So, you know, once I got to toCorner Canyon, obviously
understood the winning traditionthat Coach Kerr had, and it was
just something that was veryappealing.
And um, you know, as acompetitor, you want to be a
part of that.
You want to be a part of aculture, a part of an
environment where everybody'sgonna push each other to be the
(11:00):
best that they can be.
So um, you know, that was myfirst um real impact that I felt
when I got to Corner Canyon wasjust the culture of everybody
just competing and um, you know,a saying that I felt like really
resonates with Corner Canyon isyou gotta prepare and and
develop to be a champion beforeyou're even a champion.
And I think that Coach Care doesan amazing job at bringing that
(11:20):
mindset each and every day tohis players and to his coaching
staff.
And there's a real standardthere where it's not even him
that needs to obviously he needsto hold it, but the guys on the
team, uh, the guys in theprogram, like they all hold it
around each other.
So it's a very player-led teamas well.
So um that was something that Ireally enjoyed.
And obviously, it starts in theoffseason with the weight room
program and just the competitioneach and every day when you wake
(11:43):
up at 6 a.m.
in the morning of guys justgoing at it and trying to be the
best.
And then obviously getting tothe football side of it.
I mean, he's a schematicmastermind in his ability to
develop his players and reallylike teach them the ins and outs
of the game of understanding whyeach play is being called, why
it's um going up against thisspecific defense, and what are
the um you know, points ofemphasis is of how we can
(12:05):
exploit uh their weaknesses wasa huge uh development process
for me.
And I felt like it really helpedme excel um, you know, when I
got to college and each andevery level.
But just the the biggest thingum that I felt like I had with
Coach Kerr was just thatpersonal relationship.
He cares for each and every oneof his guys.
I mean, he's had an immenseamount of opportunities to go
(12:28):
and coach at the college leveland different levels, um, but he
stays and and he wants to be uha part of it with the kids.
And I think that the big part ofit is the relationships that he
builds.
And um, you know, I felt likeyou can't there's not a guy that
has a bad thing to say aboutcoach care.
I mean, he knows like everybodyknows that he's gonna push you
to um the max and he's gonna bevery intense, but it's a
(12:52):
different feeling when you knowthat the coach and the and the
guy that's your leader is reallyloves and cares about you.
So he gets a great buy-in fromhis guys and really develops
them from each and everyposition.
I think that goes along with himbuilding a great coaching staff
and support staff all around himto create that environment.
SPEAKER_02 (13:09):
Yeah, uh, you know, he he has so much love and
respect from from everybody uhin the state of Utah, especially
in the district.
I I remember uh going to afootball practice one day, you
might actually might have beenplaying at the time, and there
were all these other athletesdoing these workouts near the
football field, and I asked whatwas going on.
They said, Oh, even though CoachKerr's handling football
(13:30):
practice, he has other athletesthat are doing workouts that
he's tailored and designed forthem at the same time.
So it it just it just speaks towhat you're saying about you
know his his level of dedicationand care uh for all of our
student athletes.
SPEAKER_01 (13:44):
So yeah, and even and even just like one thing I
wanted to highlight was justlike his relationships with just
the students around the school.
I mean, like everywhere that hegoes, he's greeting everybody
with with respect and um youknow compassion.
And and whether it's an athleteor not an athlete, like
everybody, he's just a personthat people really want to be
around.
And I think that's justsomething that you know we can
(14:05):
all really respect.
SPEAKER_02 (14:06):
Yeah, and and just uh along those lines, I I think
it's something uh worthy ofmentioning.
He's kind of developing this uhnotoriety as kind of being a
quarterback whisperer and andcorner being a quarterback
factory, you know, you know,going back to to Zach and Isaac
Wilson, you, Devin Brown, andnow Ahilam and Kasuga, you know,
signing with Texas AM.
(14:27):
And and and I that's just a fewof the quarterbacks on the top
of my head.
I know there's many more thathave come through the program,
but it it speaks to that thatrelationship and that
development that you're talkingabout.
SPEAKER_01 (14:39):
Yeah, absolutely.
I mean, he's had a great run.
Um, like I said earlier, whenyou see the production that he's
had, I mean, going back to hisJordan days with with uh you
know Cafensis and Wakeley, andum, you know, it's just very
impressive and and they're alldifferent.
Like I think that's one thingthat's really cool when you look
at a coach who um has that kindof production and you look at
the quarterbacks, like we're alldifferent, like our skill sets
(15:02):
are different, and him beingable to tailor an offense around
his players and his talent isvery unique and really credits
um you know to the coach that heis.
SPEAKER_02 (15:11):
So just to talk a little bit more about corner
canyon and then we'll we'll uhwrap things up, talk a little
bit about the game, but what aresome memories non-football that
you have of of Corner Canyon andyour your time here uh that that
might stick out to you?
Oh, that has nothing to do withfootball?
SPEAKER_01 (15:29):
Nothing to do with football.
Jeez, I mean there's a lot.
I think you know, the firstthing that comes to mind is my
first or second day at corner,um, there was a basketball game
against Lone Peak.
And um I can't even remember ifwe won or lost, but at the end
of it, I remember like the wholestudent section of Corner Canyon
and Lone Peak like meeting atmid-court and you know, just
(15:52):
like the rivalry that that wasthere, and you know, people are
jawing at each other, andeventually it got to the point
where people had to, you know,separate all of us because there
was just so much jawing andgoing at it.
So that was you know probablysomething that you know I first
realized was like, all right,like this is just like the
intensity of um, you know, allthe sports at Corner Canyon.
(16:12):
But man, I have just a ton ofmemories of you know, you know,
going up to the mountains withthe boys and you know, having a
good time.
We took a ton of fishing tripswith the guys on the team.
I mean I mean I remember MikeWilson, you know, picking the
guys up and us going up toStrawberry and going fishing.
And um, you know, we were alwaysjust with each other and and
having a good time.
(16:33):
And um, you know, our ourrelationship on the football
field far extended onto you knowjust our um you know off the
field lives of you know, havinglate nights at the pool um with
a big group.
Um, you know, we just had a lotof fun.
SPEAKER_02 (16:47):
Yeah, it it kind of speaks to that brotherhood that
that football, you know, bringsus all that get that opportunity
to participate.
So that uh that's that's great.
Um so uh yeah, going intoWednesday, just to highlight for
our listeners, Corner Canyon andand and Jackson spoke to this.
We're very proud of the factthat that we the Chargers were
(17:08):
able to defeat Long Peak onceagain in the 6A state
championship, which is thesecond three peat in eight years
uh for the Chargers.
I mean it's really remarkable.
And and if there's anything thatthat uh designates a dynasty uh
or demonstrates what a dynastyis, I I think what's been
accomplished at Corner Canyon uhunder Coach Care and and our
(17:31):
players and our student athletesuh certainly meets that that
criteria.
Um so Jackson to kind of bringthings to a close, talk a little
bit about the game Wednesdaynight.
What what are you now puttingyour uh analyst hat on?
What are gonna be the keys tothe game in that national
championship game this Wednesdaynight at 5 p.m.
on ESPN 2?
SPEAKER_01 (17:53):
Yeah, I think it's gonna start with um you know the
offensive defensive line um foreach team.
And uh I think that that's gonnareally gain control of you know
who's able to set the tempo ofthe game, who's gonna be able to
um, you know, just have thoseopportunities where they're not
in third and long situations andthey can kind of stay ahead of
the chains.
Uh it's gonna be interestingbecause I feel like on each
(18:14):
side, these are both teams whereum you don't get a lot of
experience of playing teams likeit.
You know, I feel like thedefense and the athletes um that
you know St.
Francis has is a little bitdifferent than kind of what you
know maybe Corner has seen uhthroughout this year from just
like a a skill position and justoverall just like individual
talent.
(18:35):
Um but then when I look at St.
Francis and the teams thatthey've gone against, I don't
feel like that they've been ableto see an explosion of you know
just playmakers all around thefield from the offensive side of
the ball.
So I think it's gonna reallycome down to um you know
corner's defense.
You know, how are they gonna beable to um, you know, slow the
game down, ex, you know, sl stopexplosive plays, um, and being
(18:58):
able to control the line ofscrimmage.
Uh, you know, they have somereally good playmakers on the
offensive side of the ball.
I know their quarterback's agood player, and um it's gonna
be fun to watch, but I thinkit's gonna come down to the line
of scrimmage and who's gonna beable to control the game that
way.
And um, you know, a lot of thetimes that I feel like that
really dictates games,especially when you're in um a
situation like this where thetalent is is very even when it
(19:19):
comes to a playing field likethis.
And um it's just gonna bedifferent.
You know, I actually got to gowatch the New Jersey state
championship game, and you know,kind of the football that's
being played there is a littlebit different than the the
football that's out here.
So um I'm excited to see howcorners passing game and um you
know their attack with all theirplaymakers will will size up
against, you know, this St.
(19:39):
Francis defense and you know umthe the talent that they have on
that side of the ball.
SPEAKER_02 (19:44):
Yeah, it's it's definitely uh clash of the
Titans, uh and it's a it'sreally exciting that the you
know two of the best teams inthe country uh are gonna go uh
head to head and they're bothcertainly uh worthy to play in
the game.
Um So, this is a question I liketo ask our guests in our podcast
to wrap things up.
(20:05):
So many young people arestruggling with so many
different things these days inthe world, and they got all
kinds of challenges that they'refacing.
If you had to go back to your,let's say, 14, 15-year-old self,
what advice would you give tothat Jackson Dart maybe that
would help inspire some of theseyoung people that are maybe
trying to search for directionor trying to figure out, you
(20:28):
know, what to do in life.
There's so many challenges andso many things going on.
If you could go back, what whatwould that advice be to yourself
that maybe could help some ofour young people as they think
about their future?
SPEAKER_01 (20:40):
Yeah, I think a big word for me would be patience.
Um, you know, understand thatnot everything is going to come
to me immediately.
And you have to get over thefeeling of instant
gratification.
Um, I think at the same time youhave to be, you know, very
process driven at what you wantto succeed and accomplish in
life.
And and really just try tosimplify things for yourself.
(21:01):
Like don't try to look at youknow what everybody else is
doing and and don't try to mimicand mock what you know what
somebody else may be doing.
You know, be being able to, youknow, find, you know, what what
is your why, you know, what issomething that really drives
you, what is something that um,you know, your dreams, you know,
write those things down and umunderstand that not everything's
(21:23):
gonna come at the snap of afinger.
Um it's kind of just like theentrepreneurial, you know,
mindset of you know, you got tokeep pushing and um keep
swinging that you know,eventually things are gonna work
out if you're you know have theright mindset, you're process
driven, you come to work, youcome to whatever you may be
doing every single day and justtry to get 1% better.
Um, but you know, it's it'sdefinitely you know interesting
(21:46):
to look back on you know how Ifelt at 14 um and going up into
high school because for a littlebit I was like, man, I don't
even know if I'm gonna be ableto play college football.
Um so um, but you just got to beable to find what you love and
uh you know find your your yourwhy of you know what you want to
do, why you want to do.
And I think that that'll helpyou fall back in times of
adversity to um you know pushthrough and persevere through
(22:10):
any hardships that you have.
SPEAKER_02 (22:12):
Well, I I think that's wonderful advice.
And uh I hope all of our youngpeople that that listen to our
podcast will really take that toheart uh because uh I think
that's advice that will serveserve them well.
Um Jackson, thank you so much.
We are so proud of you.
Much love and and respect, anduh we want we want to wish you
(22:34):
well.
Man, every everybody here iswe're all giant fans now, and
just cheering you on, and andyou've got uh a big group of
people behind you here in Utahor State, but especially here in
this community that that got toknow you uh while you were here.
So thank you for taking timewith us.
Uh just a reminder, folks, thechampionship game is going to be
(22:56):
this Wednesday night at 5o'clock on ESPN 2.
We'll be hosting a watch partyat Canyon School District Office
if you want to join us for hotdogs and and take in the game.
Again, this is our ConnectCanyons podcast.
And if you have ideas uh ortopics that you'd like us to
discuss, uh shoot us a text oran email and we'll take that up.
(23:16):
So again, Jackson, wishing youall the best and go G man.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, Rick.
Thanks for having me.
Really appreciate it.
All right, take care.
We'll see ya.
Welcome to Connect Canyons, a podcast sponsored by
Canyon School District.
This is a show about what weteach, how we teach, and why we
get up close and personal withsome of the people who make our
schools great.
Students, teachers, principals,parents, and more.
We meet national experts too.
(00:21):
Learning is about makingconnections.
So connect with us.
SPEAKER_02 (00:27):
Okay, welcome.
This is Superintendent RickRobbins in Canyon School
District.
And today is another episode ofour Connect Canyons podcast.
And we are honored and thrilledto have one of our uh rock star
alumni with us today, the NewYork Football Giants quarterback
(00:47):
Jackson Dart, former CornerCanyon alum and Canyons alum,
uh, also in the room.
Just want to recognize his AuntKatie is here with us today.
So we're super excited to haveher join us.
Uh but Jackson, just want towelcome you uh back and thank
you for taking time to visitwith us.
Um how are you feeling today onthe bye week?
SPEAKER_01 (01:08):
Yeah, first of all, thank you guys for having me
excited to uh connect again.
Like we talked about earlier.
It's been a little bit sincewe've um talked.
So just excited to be back.
Body's feeling good.
Um obviously, this late in theseason, it's it's very crucial
for us to have a bye week likethis to kind of slow down and um
you know try to just you knowfix some some little bangs and
bruises that we've had along theway, but um, excited for this
(01:31):
next stretch.
SPEAKER_02 (01:33):
Yeah, that's so true to rest up and get ready uh for
the next week.
Uh Jackson and I were justtalking.
Uh I met Jackson his senior yearin 2020 at Corner Canyon High
School uh during that season andanother championship run uh for
the Chargers.
He led us to a statechampionship in the 6A that
year, uh defeating Lone Peak uhout at uh Cedar Valley during
(01:56):
the COVID pandemic.
Um but I just want to mention,Jackson, one thing that that
that I what was really impressedon me about meeting you that day
was just your humility and justhow humble uh you are.
Uh you know, you're a starquarterback, uh, you don't have
to be that way, but it reallyspeaks to you as a leader uh
(02:17):
around your teammates and yourfriends, and now we see that
carry on into the NFL.
We're just we're so proud ofwhat you accomplished and what
you represent.
SPEAKER_01 (02:27):
Yeah, thank you.
I mean, all that stuff startswith your foundation and your
family.
So um, you know, I got my AuntKatie on here too.
So um, you know, grateful tohave all those people in my
corner.
Yeah, but I appreciate that.
SPEAKER_02 (02:38):
Just and I just so our listeners out there can
understand a little bit about uhJackson, had an amazing run uh
in high school at Corner Canyon.
He came out in 2021 as thenumber 10th uh rated quarterback
in the ESPN 100 uh ranking.
So he's he's highlyaccomplished.
Um something that that I wasjust reading this morning a
little bit, and I've followedhis career.
(03:00):
Uh, over his career in college,almost 12,000 yards passing, uh
1,500 yards uh rushing, which Idon't think Jackson gets enough
credit for his athleticism.
He he's an amazing passer, buthe's also a very accomplished
runner.
65% completion percentage and29-10 uh at Ole Miss, making him
the winningest quarterback inOle Miss history.
(03:23):
And that includes uh EliManning.
So uh very accomplished as a asa uh college and professional
quarterback.
And we all know uh his dad uh isuh a legend safety at University
of Utah for the Utes.
And then in 2025, uh Jackson wasdrafted by the New York Giants
as the Giants traded up into thefirst round.
Unfortunately, my Raiders didn'ttake you at number six, uh,
(03:46):
which I I predicted they would,and they didn't.
What a mistake that was.
Still hurts my heart.
Uh, but he went 25 to theGiants.
Um, Jackson, just take a momentuh for our listeners uh to
reflect on uh on that journeythat you've had through high
school and college and in intothe NFL uh on the football side
of things.
SPEAKER_01 (04:07):
Yeah, it's it's definitely been wild to you know
kind of take a step back and andlook through each experience and
kind of just like the mindset ofum you know different situations
that I've been in.
Uh before I transferred toCorner Canyon, um, you know, I
didn't have any attention forfootball.
You know, there was an in-stateschool who, you know, at that
time, you know, was Dixie State,and they had um some coaches
(04:29):
come through and talk to youknow my coaches at Roy, and they
didn't even know that I playedfootball.
And um it's it's kind of crazyto see everything that's come to
fruition up uh to that point.
And um, you know, just thejourney, the relationships that
I've been able to make.
Obviously, going to CornerCanyon was huge for me because
it put me on a nationallandscape.
And uh Coach Kerr and all myteammates did such an amazing
(04:51):
job of um you know supportingaround me, and and we really
just fed off of one another, ofmaking each other better.
And um we had definitely had aspecial run that that last
season.
And then um, you know, finishingout that year as a state
champion was uh definitely agoal of mine that I've had.
And then going to USC um whereyou know you step into a place
(05:11):
where you're really excited togo to, and um, you have all
these these dreams and and andhopes that things are gonna work
out there, and your coaches getfired week uh two of your
freshman year, and then there'sa whole bunch of um you know
movement, and you kind of getthe whole whirlwind of of
college football at that time atsuch a young age, and then
obviously transferring to OleMiss and just the amount of
(05:34):
growth that I had personally um,you know, just as an individual
on and off the field was um kindof you know, kind of just shaped
me into the person that I amtoday.
And and that credit goes to, youknow, obviously just the hard
work that was put in, but at thesame time, um just the people
that I've had in my corner to tosupport and lean on um, you
know, in in times where you'vehad a lot of success and then
(05:56):
times where you're really facingadversity.
So um I definitely feel likeI've just been in a really
blessed situation to um besurrounded by just great people
from all over the country tohelp um you know put me in this
position.
And then, you know, the biggestcredit goes to you know just my
family, you know, those who arealways there for me and and
people that um are just the rockof my life.
SPEAKER_02 (06:17):
Yeah, uh speaking of old miss, you got to be very
proud of the rebels.
You helped build the foundationuh for their success, and
they're obviously getting readyto compete and hopefully uh play
in the college football playoffcoming up here soon.
SPEAKER_01 (06:29):
Yeah, that it's gonna be exciting.
They've had a they've had agreat year, they have a great
roster.
Um, you know, nowadays there's athere's a big turnover.
You know, we lost like 20starters from the this past
season, and um just thatcoaching staff being able to
recruit and bring in the rightguys, and you can definitely
tell that they have a greatculture because they've been in
a lot of tough games or it'scome down to the wire and
they've been able to pull it outat the end.
(06:51):
So um they've definitely beenbattle tested, and I'm really
excited to see them you knowreally make a run at it this
year.
SPEAKER_02 (06:57):
Yeah, yeah, certainly.
And uh I I know you're veryhumble.
You deserve a lot of credit uhfor building the foundation uh
there in Oxford, and I and Iknow uh how much uh the fan base
loves and appreciates you.
So uh speaking of family andkind of thinking about the
podcast and this week, uh CornerCanyon High School is playing uh
(07:17):
for the national championshipthis Wednesday against St.
Francis uh for Maryland.
That game's gonna be on ESPN onWednesday at five o'clock.
It's sponsored by OvertimeSports.
And this year really is kind ofthe first effort uh in our
country that we're trying to geta national championship
established.
And so for Corner Canyon to bepart of that game uh is
(07:38):
something really special forCorner Canyon and Canyon School
District, and uh we're we'resuper excited about that, which
also includes your littlebrother Diesel's going to be
playing uh in that game.
So uh just talk a little bitabout what that means uh for
Corner Canyon to play uh on anational championship uh stage
uh in front of a national uhchampionship audience.
SPEAKER_01 (08:01):
Yeah, I think the first thing, just what an
opportunity.
You know, what an opportunity torepresent obviously the school,
the district, um, you know, butin my mind, you know, the whole
state of Utah.
I feel like, you know, thisstate is very underappreciated
when it comes to a nationallandscape of um talent and and
people kind of you knowovershadow other states when it
comes to to Utah.
(08:22):
So I just think it's anincredible opportunity.
I ran into Coach Kerr uhyesterday at my brother's
basketball game, and I was like,first of all, I wish that my bye
week was this next week so thenI could come and watch.
But I'm also just you know superjealous and and envious of the
opportunity that those guys getat playing that.
I mean, that would have been umyou know something that I would
have loved.
And I know all the teammates um,you know, during my time when I
(08:45):
was there would have loved toplay in this.
So uh what a great opportunityfor them to go play and compete
at the highest level against agreat team.
Um, you know, and for Deese andall the guys, like I know this
is something that they're reallylooking forward to, and they're
really to excited to put theirname um out there against the
best and on the map.
So uh I definitely feel liketheir battle test tested as
well.
I mean, obviously they'replaying a national schedule now
(09:07):
and playing teams from all overthe country.
They had a great test last yearagainst IMG and then um you know
playing that Brower team um andthen the team from uh Arizona.
So um excited for those guys togo out there and compete.
You know, I think that it'sgonna be a great game and it's
gonna be, I think it's I thinkit's gonna be a great matchup.
You know, St.
Francis has a great defense,corner has an amazing offense,
(09:27):
so it's gonna be really fun towatch them, you know, just go at
it and compete.
SPEAKER_02 (09:31):
Yeah, we're we're I think everybody around the
country is very excited to seethe talent on the field,
probably, you know, 10 to 15guys that are that are all power
for conference uh level playersthat are gonna be on the field
that night.
Um, you mentioned Coach Care,Jackson.
Talk talk a little bit aboutyour experience at Corner Canyon
and and just the impact thatCoach Care and other coaches
(09:54):
have had on your life.
I I think those of us that havebeen athletes, you know, we
reflect back on thoseexperiences, but I I think it it
teaches us such great lessonsabout life and sacrifice and
teamwork and all of those thingsthat that make us uh hopefully
productive adults.
Talk a little bit about thatexperience that you had at
Corner Canyon.
SPEAKER_01 (10:15):
Yeah, I mean, you know, for me, uh I went to Roy
High School for my first threeyears and um I got to play for a
legendary coach and CoachFernandez and um somebody who
was a great mentor for me in mytime and um you know really
helped develop me and really putlike a chip on my shoulder to,
you know, chase, you know, thedreams that I had.
And um, you know, he was a hugeadvocate actually for me to make
(10:38):
that move to Corner Canyon, um,you know, just to you know give
myself a little bit moreexposure and and notice.
So, you know, once I got to toCorner Canyon, obviously
understood the winning traditionthat Coach Kerr had, and it was
just something that was veryappealing.
And um, you know, as acompetitor, you want to be a
part of that.
You want to be a part of aculture, a part of an
environment where everybody'sgonna push each other to be the
(11:00):
best that they can be.
So um, you know, that was myfirst um real impact that I felt
when I got to Corner Canyon wasjust the culture of everybody
just competing and um, you know,a saying that I felt like really
resonates with Corner Canyon isyou gotta prepare and and
develop to be a champion beforeyou're even a champion.
And I think that Coach Care doesan amazing job at bringing that
(11:20):
mindset each and every day tohis players and to his coaching
staff.
And there's a real standardthere where it's not even him
that needs to obviously he needsto hold it, but the guys on the
team, uh, the guys in theprogram, like they all hold it
around each other.
So it's a very player-led teamas well.
So um that was something that Ireally enjoyed.
And obviously, it starts in theoffseason with the weight room
program and just the competitioneach and every day when you wake
(11:43):
up at 6 a.m.
in the morning of guys justgoing at it and trying to be the
best.
And then obviously getting tothe football side of it.
I mean, he's a schematicmastermind in his ability to
develop his players and reallylike teach them the ins and outs
of the game of understanding whyeach play is being called, why
it's um going up against thisspecific defense, and what are
the um you know, points ofemphasis is of how we can
(12:05):
exploit uh their weaknesses wasa huge uh development process
for me.
And I felt like it really helpedme excel um, you know, when I
got to college and each andevery level.
But just the the biggest thingum that I felt like I had with
Coach Kerr was just thatpersonal relationship.
He cares for each and every oneof his guys.
I mean, he's had an immenseamount of opportunities to go
(12:28):
and coach at the college leveland different levels, um, but he
stays and and he wants to be uha part of it with the kids.
And I think that the big part ofit is the relationships that he
builds.
And um, you know, I felt likeyou can't there's not a guy that
has a bad thing to say aboutcoach care.
I mean, he knows like everybodyknows that he's gonna push you
to um the max and he's gonna bevery intense, but it's a
(12:52):
different feeling when you knowthat the coach and the and the
guy that's your leader is reallyloves and cares about you.
So he gets a great buy-in fromhis guys and really develops
them from each and everyposition.
I think that goes along with himbuilding a great coaching staff
and support staff all around himto create that environment.
SPEAKER_02 (13:09):
Yeah, uh, you know, he he has so much love and
respect from from everybody uhin the state of Utah, especially
in the district.
I I remember uh going to afootball practice one day, you
might actually might have beenplaying at the time, and there
were all these other athletesdoing these workouts near the
football field, and I asked whatwas going on.
They said, Oh, even though CoachKerr's handling football
(13:30):
practice, he has other athletesthat are doing workouts that
he's tailored and designed forthem at the same time.
So it it just it just speaks towhat you're saying about you
know his his level of dedicationand care uh for all of our
student athletes.
SPEAKER_01 (13:44):
So yeah, and even and even just like one thing I
wanted to highlight was justlike his relationships with just
the students around the school.
I mean, like everywhere that hegoes, he's greeting everybody
with with respect and um youknow compassion.
And and whether it's an athleteor not an athlete, like
everybody, he's just a personthat people really want to be
around.
And I think that's justsomething that you know we can
(14:05):
all really respect.
SPEAKER_02 (14:06):
Yeah, and and just uh along those lines, I I think
it's something uh worthy ofmentioning.
He's kind of developing this uhnotoriety as kind of being a
quarterback whisperer and andcorner being a quarterback
factory, you know, you know,going back to to Zach and Isaac
Wilson, you, Devin Brown, andnow Ahilam and Kasuga, you know,
signing with Texas AM.
(14:27):
And and and I that's just a fewof the quarterbacks on the top
of my head.
I know there's many more thathave come through the program,
but it it speaks to that thatrelationship and that
development that you're talkingabout.
SPEAKER_01 (14:39):
Yeah, absolutely.
I mean, he's had a great run.
Um, like I said earlier, whenyou see the production that he's
had, I mean, going back to hisJordan days with with uh you
know Cafensis and Wakeley, andum, you know, it's just very
impressive and and they're alldifferent.
Like I think that's one thingthat's really cool when you look
at a coach who um has that kindof production and you look at
the quarterbacks, like we're alldifferent, like our skill sets
(15:02):
are different, and him beingable to tailor an offense around
his players and his talent isvery unique and really credits
um you know to the coach that heis.
SPEAKER_02 (15:11):
So just to talk a little bit more about corner
canyon and then we'll we'll uhwrap things up, talk a little
bit about the game, but what aresome memories non-football that
you have of of Corner Canyon andyour your time here uh that that
might stick out to you?
Oh, that has nothing to do withfootball?
SPEAKER_01 (15:29):
Nothing to do with football.
Jeez, I mean there's a lot.
I think you know, the firstthing that comes to mind is my
first or second day at corner,um, there was a basketball game
against Lone Peak.
And um I can't even remember ifwe won or lost, but at the end
of it, I remember like the wholestudent section of Corner Canyon
and Lone Peak like meeting atmid-court and you know, just
(15:52):
like the rivalry that that wasthere, and you know, people are
jawing at each other, andeventually it got to the point
where people had to, you know,separate all of us because there
was just so much jawing andgoing at it.
So that was you know probablysomething that you know I first
realized was like, all right,like this is just like the
intensity of um, you know, allthe sports at Corner Canyon.
(16:12):
But man, I have just a ton ofmemories of you know, you know,
going up to the mountains withthe boys and you know, having a
good time.
We took a ton of fishing tripswith the guys on the team.
I mean I mean I remember MikeWilson, you know, picking the
guys up and us going up toStrawberry and going fishing.
And um, you know, we were alwaysjust with each other and and
having a good time.
(16:33):
And um, you know, our ourrelationship on the football
field far extended onto you knowjust our um you know off the
field lives of you know, havinglate nights at the pool um with
a big group.
Um, you know, we just had a lotof fun.
SPEAKER_02 (16:47):
Yeah, it it kind of speaks to that brotherhood that
that football, you know, bringsus all that get that opportunity
to participate.
So that uh that's that's great.
Um so uh yeah, going intoWednesday, just to highlight for
our listeners, Corner Canyon andand and Jackson spoke to this.
We're very proud of the factthat that we the Chargers were
(17:08):
able to defeat Long Peak onceagain in the 6A state
championship, which is thesecond three peat in eight years
uh for the Chargers.
I mean it's really remarkable.
And and if there's anything thatthat uh designates a dynasty uh
or demonstrates what a dynastyis, I I think what's been
accomplished at Corner Canyon uhunder Coach Care and and our
(17:31):
players and our student athletesuh certainly meets that that
criteria.
Um so Jackson to kind of bringthings to a close, talk a little
bit about the game Wednesdaynight.
What what are you now puttingyour uh analyst hat on?
What are gonna be the keys tothe game in that national
championship game this Wednesdaynight at 5 p.m.
on ESPN 2?
SPEAKER_01 (17:53):
Yeah, I think it's gonna start with um you know the
offensive defensive line um foreach team.
And uh I think that that's gonnareally gain control of you know
who's able to set the tempo ofthe game, who's gonna be able to
um, you know, just have thoseopportunities where they're not
in third and long situations andthey can kind of stay ahead of
the chains.
Uh it's gonna be interestingbecause I feel like on each
(18:14):
side, these are both teams whereum you don't get a lot of
experience of playing teams likeit.
You know, I feel like thedefense and the athletes um that
you know St.
Francis has is a little bitdifferent than kind of what you
know maybe Corner has seen uhthroughout this year from just
like a a skill position and justoverall just like individual
talent.
(18:35):
Um but then when I look at St.
Francis and the teams thatthey've gone against, I don't
feel like that they've been ableto see an explosion of you know
just playmakers all around thefield from the offensive side of
the ball.
So I think it's gonna reallycome down to um you know
corner's defense.
You know, how are they gonna beable to um, you know, slow the
game down, ex, you know, sl stopexplosive plays, um, and being
(18:58):
able to control the line ofscrimmage.
Uh, you know, they have somereally good playmakers on the
offensive side of the ball.
I know their quarterback's agood player, and um it's gonna
be fun to watch, but I thinkit's gonna come down to the line
of scrimmage and who's gonna beable to control the game that
way.
And um, you know, a lot of thetimes that I feel like that
really dictates games,especially when you're in um a
situation like this where thetalent is is very even when it
(19:19):
comes to a playing field likethis.
And um it's just gonna bedifferent.
You know, I actually got to gowatch the New Jersey state
championship game, and you know,kind of the football that's
being played there is a littlebit different than the the
football that's out here.
So um I'm excited to see howcorners passing game and um you
know their attack with all theirplaymakers will will size up
against, you know, this St.
(19:39):
Francis defense and you know umthe the talent that they have on
that side of the ball.
SPEAKER_02 (19:44):
Yeah, it's it's definitely uh clash of the
Titans, uh and it's a it'sreally exciting that the you
know two of the best teams inthe country uh are gonna go uh
head to head and they're bothcertainly uh worthy to play in
the game.
Um So, this is a question I liketo ask our guests in our podcast
to wrap things up.
(20:05):
So many young people arestruggling with so many
different things these days inthe world, and they got all
kinds of challenges that they'refacing.
If you had to go back to your,let's say, 14, 15-year-old self,
what advice would you give tothat Jackson Dart maybe that
would help inspire some of theseyoung people that are maybe
trying to search for directionor trying to figure out, you
(20:28):
know, what to do in life.
There's so many challenges andso many things going on.
If you could go back, what whatwould that advice be to yourself
that maybe could help some ofour young people as they think
about their future?
SPEAKER_01 (20:40):
Yeah, I think a big word for me would be patience.
Um, you know, understand thatnot everything is going to come
to me immediately.
And you have to get over thefeeling of instant
gratification.
Um, I think at the same time youhave to be, you know, very
process driven at what you wantto succeed and accomplish in
life.
And and really just try tosimplify things for yourself.
(21:01):
Like don't try to look at youknow what everybody else is
doing and and don't try to mimicand mock what you know what
somebody else may be doing.
You know, be being able to, youknow, find, you know, what what
is your why, you know, what issomething that really drives
you, what is something that um,you know, your dreams, you know,
write those things down and umunderstand that not everything's
(21:23):
gonna come at the snap of afinger.
Um it's kind of just like theentrepreneurial, you know,
mindset of you know, you got tokeep pushing and um keep
swinging that you know,eventually things are gonna work
out if you're you know have theright mindset, you're process
driven, you come to work, youcome to whatever you may be
doing every single day and justtry to get 1% better.
Um, but you know, it's it'sdefinitely you know interesting
(21:46):
to look back on you know how Ifelt at 14 um and going up into
high school because for a littlebit I was like, man, I don't
even know if I'm gonna be ableto play college football.
Um so um, but you just got to beable to find what you love and
uh you know find your your yourwhy of you know what you want to
do, why you want to do.
And I think that that'll helpyou fall back in times of
adversity to um you know pushthrough and persevere through
(22:10):
any hardships that you have.
SPEAKER_02 (22:12):
Well, I I think that's wonderful advice.
And uh I hope all of our youngpeople that that listen to our
podcast will really take that toheart uh because uh I think
that's advice that will serveserve them well.
Um Jackson, thank you so much.
We are so proud of you.
Much love and and respect, anduh we want we want to wish you
(22:34):
well.
Man, every everybody here iswe're all giant fans now, and
just cheering you on, and andyou've got uh a big group of
people behind you here in Utahor State, but especially here in
this community that that got toknow you uh while you were here.
So thank you for taking timewith us.
Uh just a reminder, folks, thechampionship game is going to be
(22:56):
this Wednesday night at 5o'clock on ESPN 2.
We'll be hosting a watch partyat Canyon School District Office
if you want to join us for hotdogs and and take in the game.
Again, this is our ConnectCanyons podcast.
And if you have ideas uh ortopics that you'd like us to
discuss, uh shoot us a text oran email and we'll take that up.
(23:16):
So again, Jackson, wishing youall the best and go G man.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, Rick.
Thanks for having me.
Really appreciate it.
All right, take care.
We'll see ya.
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