Connect Canyons
Learning is about making connections, and we invite you to learn and connect with us. Connect Canyons is a show about what we teach in Canyons District, how we teach, and why. We get up close and personal with some of the people who make our schools great: students, teachers, principals, parents, and more. We meet national experts, too. And we spotlight the “connection makers” — personalities, programs and prospects — we find compelling and inspiring.
Connect Canyons
Ep 123: QB to QB: Jaxson Dart and Superintendent Robins on Football, Life, and the Road to the NFL
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.
Welcome to Connect Canyons, a podcast sponsored by Canyon School District. This is a show about what we teach, how we teach, and why we get up close and personal with some of the people who make our schools great. Students, teachers, principals, parents, and more. We meet national experts too. Learning is about making connections. So connect with us.
SPEAKER_02:Okay, welcome. This is Superintendent Rick Robbins in Canyon School District. And today is another episode of our Connect Canyons podcast. And we are honored and thrilled to have one of our uh rock star alumni with us today, the New York Football Giants quarterback Jackson Dart, former Corner Canyon alum and Canyons alum, uh, also in the room. Just want to recognize his Aunt Katie is here with us today. So we're super excited to have her join us. Uh but Jackson, just want to welcome you uh back and thank you for taking time to visit with us. Um how are you feeling today on the bye week?
SPEAKER_01: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 since we've um talked. So just excited to be back. Body's feeling good. Um obviously, this late in the season, it's it's very crucial for us to have a bye week like this to kind of slow down and um you know try to just you know fix some some little bangs and bruises that we've had along the way, but um, excited for this next stretch.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, that's so true to rest up and get ready uh for the next week. Uh Jackson and I were just talking. Uh I met Jackson his senior year in 2020 at Corner Canyon High School uh during that season and another championship run uh for the Chargers. He led us to a state championship in the 6A that year, uh defeating Lone Peak uh out at uh Cedar Valley during the COVID pandemic. Um but I just want to mention, Jackson, one thing that that that I what was really impressed on me about meeting you that day was just your humility and just how humble uh you are. Uh you know, you're a star quarterback, uh, you don't have to be that way, but it really speaks to you as a leader uh around your teammates and your friends, and now we see that carry on into the NFL. We're just we're so proud of what you accomplished and what you represent.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, thank you. I mean, all that stuff starts with your foundation and your family. So um, you know, I got my Aunt Katie on here too. So um, you know, grateful to have all those people in my corner. Yeah, but I appreciate that.
SPEAKER_02:Just and I just so our listeners out there can understand a little bit about uh Jackson, had an amazing run uh in high school at Corner Canyon. He came out in 2021 as the number 10th uh rated quarterback in the ESPN 100 uh ranking. So he's he's highly accomplished. Um something that that I was just reading this morning a little bit, and I've followed his career. Uh, over his career in college, almost 12,000 yards passing, uh 1,500 yards uh rushing, which I don't think Jackson gets enough credit for his athleticism. He he's an amazing passer, but he's also a very accomplished runner. 65% completion percentage and 29-10 uh at Ole Miss, making him the winningest quarterback in Ole Miss history. And that includes uh Eli Manning. So uh very accomplished as a as a uh college and professional quarterback. And we all know uh his dad uh is uh a legend safety at University of Utah for the Utes. And then in 2025, uh Jackson was drafted by the New York Giants as the Giants traded up into the first round. Unfortunately, my Raiders didn't take you at number six, uh, 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 the Giants. Um, Jackson, just take a moment uh for our listeners uh to reflect on uh on that journey that you've had through high school and college and in into the NFL uh on the football side of things.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, it's it's definitely been wild to you know kind of take a step back and and look through each experience and kind of just like the mindset of um you know different situations that I've been in. Uh before I transferred to Corner Canyon, um, you know, I didn't have any attention for football. You know, there was an in-state school who, you know, at that time, you know, was Dixie State, and they had um some coaches come through and talk to you know my coaches at Roy, and they didn't even know that I played football. And um it's it's kind of crazy to see everything that's come to fruition up uh to that point. And um, you know, just the journey, the relationships that I've been able to make. Obviously, going to Corner Canyon was huge for me because it put me on a national landscape. And uh Coach Kerr and all my teammates did such an amazing job of um you know supporting around me, and and we really just fed off of one another, of making each other better. And um we had definitely had a special run that that last season. And then um, you know, finishing out that year as a state champion was uh definitely a goal of mine that I've had. And then going to USC um where you know you step into a place where you're really excited to go to, and um, you have all these these dreams and and and hopes that things are gonna work out there, and your coaches get fired week uh two of your freshman year, and then there's a whole bunch of um you know movement, and you kind of get the whole whirlwind of of college football at that time at such a young age, and then obviously transferring to Ole Miss and just the amount of growth that I had personally um, you know, just as an individual on and off the field was um kind of you know, kind of just shaped me into the person that I am today. And and that credit goes to, you know, obviously just the hard work that was put in, but at the same time, um just the people that I've had in my corner to to support and lean on um, you know, in in times where you've had a lot of success and then times where you're really facing adversity. So um I definitely feel like I've just been in a really blessed situation to um be surrounded by just great people from all over the country to help um you know put me in this position. And then, you know, the biggest credit goes to you know just my family, you know, those who are always there for me and and people that um are just the rock of my life.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, uh speaking of old miss, you got to be very proud of the rebels. You helped build the foundation uh for their success, and they're obviously getting ready to compete and hopefully uh play in the college football playoff coming up here soon.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that it's gonna be exciting. They've had a they've had a great year, they have a great roster. Um, you know, nowadays there's a there's a big turnover. You know, we lost like 20 starters from the this past season, and um just that coaching staff being able to recruit and bring in the right guys, and you can definitely tell that they have a great culture because they've been in a lot of tough games or it's come down to the wire and they've been able to pull it out at the end. So um they've definitely been battle tested, and I'm really excited to see them you know really make a run at it this year.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, yeah, certainly. And uh I I know you're very humble. You deserve a lot of credit uh for building the foundation uh there in Oxford, and I and I know uh how much uh the fan base loves and appreciates you. So uh speaking of family and kind of thinking about the podcast and this week, uh Corner Canyon High School is playing uh for the national championship this Wednesday against St. Francis uh for Maryland. That game's gonna be on ESPN on Wednesday at five o'clock. It's sponsored by Overtime Sports. And this year really is kind of the first effort uh in our country that we're trying to get a national championship established. And so for Corner Canyon to be part of that game uh is something really special for Corner Canyon and Canyon School District, and uh we're we're super excited about that, which also includes your little brother Diesel's going to be playing uh in that game. So uh just talk a little bit about what that means uh for Corner Canyon to play uh on a national championship uh stage uh in front of a national uh championship audience.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think the first thing, just what an opportunity. You know, what an opportunity to represent obviously the school, the district, um, you know, but in my mind, you know, the whole state of Utah. I feel like, you know, this state is very underappreciated when it comes to a national landscape of um talent and and people kind of you know overshadow other states when it comes to to Utah. So I just think it's an incredible opportunity. I ran into Coach Kerr uh yesterday at my brother's basketball game, and I was like, first of all, I wish that my bye week was this next week so then I could come and watch. But I'm also just you know super jealous and and envious of the opportunity that those guys get at playing that. I mean, that would have been um you know something that I would have loved. And I know all the teammates um, you know, during my time when I was there would have loved to play in this. So uh what a great opportunity for them to go play and compete at the highest level against a great team. Um, you know, and for Deese and all the guys, like I know this is something that they're really looking forward to, and they're really to excited to put their name um out there against the best and on the map. So uh I definitely feel like their battle test tested as well. I mean, obviously they're playing a national schedule now and playing teams from all over the country. They had a great test last year against IMG and then um you know playing that Brower team um and then the team from uh Arizona. So um excited for those guys to go out there and compete. You know, I think that it's gonna be a great game and it's gonna be, I think it's I think it's gonna be a great matchup. You know, St. Francis has a great defense, corner has an amazing offense, so it's gonna be really fun to watch them, you know, just go at it and compete.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, we're we're I think everybody around the country is very excited to see the talent on the field, probably, you know, 10 to 15 guys that are that are all power for conference uh level players that are gonna be on the field that night. Um, you mentioned Coach Care, Jackson. Talk talk a little bit about your experience at Corner Canyon and and just the impact that Coach Care and other coaches have had on your life. I I think those of us that have been athletes, you know, we reflect back on those experiences, but I I think it it teaches us such great lessons about life and sacrifice and teamwork and all of those things that that make us uh hopefully productive adults. Talk a little bit about that experience that you had at Corner Canyon.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I mean, you know, for me, uh I went to Roy High School for my first three years and um I got to play for a legendary coach and Coach Fernandez and um somebody who was a great mentor for me in my time and um you know really helped develop me and really put like a chip on my shoulder to, you know, chase, you know, the dreams that I had. And um, you know, he was a huge advocate actually for me to make that move to Corner Canyon, um, you know, just to you know give myself a little bit more exposure and and notice. So, you know, once I got to to Corner Canyon, obviously understood the winning tradition that Coach Kerr had, and it was just something that was very appealing. And um, you know, as a competitor, you want to be a part of that. You want to be a part of a culture, a part of an environment where everybody's gonna push each other to be the best that they can be. So um, you know, that was my first um real impact that I felt when I got to Corner Canyon was just the culture of everybody just competing and um, you know, a saying that I felt like really resonates with Corner Canyon is you gotta prepare and and develop to be a champion before you're even a champion. And I think that Coach Care does an amazing job at bringing that mindset each and every day to his players and to his coaching staff. And there's a real standard there where it's not even him that needs to obviously he needs to hold it, but the guys on the team, uh, the guys in the program, like they all hold it around each other. So it's a very player-led team as well. So um that was something that I really enjoyed. And obviously, it starts in the offseason with the weight room program and just the competition each and every day when you wake up at 6 a.m. in the morning of guys just going at it and trying to be the best. And then obviously getting to the football side of it. I mean, he's a schematic mastermind in his ability to develop his players and really like teach them the ins and outs of the game of understanding why each play is being called, why it's um going up against this specific defense, and what are the um you know, points of emphasis is of how we can exploit uh their weaknesses was a huge uh development process for me. And I felt like it really helped me excel um, you know, when I got to college and each and every level. But just the the biggest thing um that I felt like I had with Coach Kerr was just that personal relationship. He cares for each and every one of his guys. I mean, he's had an immense amount of opportunities to go and coach at the college level and different levels, um, but he stays and and he wants to be uh a part of it with the kids. And I think that the big part of it is the relationships that he builds. And um, you know, I felt like you can't there's not a guy that has a bad thing to say about coach care. I mean, he knows like everybody knows that he's gonna push you to um the max and he's gonna be very intense, but it's a different feeling when you know that the coach and the and the guy that's your leader is really loves and cares about you. So he gets a great buy-in from his guys and really develops them from each and every position. I think that goes along with him building a great coaching staff and support staff all around him to create that environment.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, uh, you know, he he has so much love and respect from from everybody uh in the state of Utah, especially in the district. I I remember uh going to a football practice one day, you might actually might have been playing at the time, and there were all these other athletes doing these workouts near the football field, and I asked what was going on. They said, Oh, even though Coach Kerr's handling football practice, he has other athletes that are doing workouts that he's tailored and designed for them at the same time. So it it just it just speaks to what you're saying about you know his his level of dedication and care uh for all of our student athletes.
SPEAKER_01:So yeah, and even and even just like one thing I wanted to highlight was just like his relationships with just the students around the school. I mean, like everywhere that he goes, he's greeting everybody with with respect and um you know compassion. And and whether it's an athlete or not an athlete, like everybody, he's just a person that people really want to be around. And I think that's just something that you know we can all really respect.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, and and just uh along those lines, I I think it's something uh worthy of mentioning. He's kind of developing this uh notoriety as kind of being a quarterback whisperer and and corner being a quarterback factory, you know, you know, going back to to Zach and Isaac Wilson, you, Devin Brown, and now Ahilam and Kasuga, you know, signing with Texas AM. And and and I that's just a few of the quarterbacks on the top of my head. I know there's many more that have come through the program, but it it speaks to that that relationship and that development that you're talking about.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, absolutely. I mean, he's had a great run. Um, like I said earlier, when you see the production that he's had, I mean, going back to his Jordan days with with uh you know Cafensis and Wakeley, and um, you know, it's just very impressive and and they're all different. Like I think that's one thing that's really cool when you look at a coach who um has that kind of production and you look at the quarterbacks, like we're all different, like our skill sets are different, and him being able to tailor an offense around his players and his talent is very unique and really credits um you know to the coach that he is.
SPEAKER_02:So just to talk a little bit more about corner canyon and then we'll we'll uh wrap things up, talk a little bit about the game, but what are some memories non-football that you have of of Corner Canyon and your your time here uh that that might stick out to you? Oh, that has nothing to do with football?
SPEAKER_01:Nothing to do with football. Jeez, I mean there's a lot. I think you know, the first thing 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 if we won or lost, but at the end of it, I remember like the whole student section of Corner Canyon and Lone Peak like meeting at mid-court and you know, just like the rivalry that that was there, and you know, people are jawing at each other, and eventually it got to the point where people had to, you know, separate all of us because there was just so much jawing and going at it. So that was you know probably something that you know I first realized was like, all right, like this is just like the intensity of um, you know, all the sports at Corner Canyon. But man, I have just a ton of memories of you know, you know, going up to the mountains with the boys and you know, having a good time. We took a ton of fishing trips with the guys on the team. I mean I mean I remember Mike Wilson, you know, picking the guys up and us going up to Strawberry and going fishing. And um, you know, we were always just with each other and and having a good time. And um, you know, our our relationship on the football field far extended onto you know just our um you know off the field lives of you know, having late nights at the pool um with a big group. Um, you know, we just had a lot of fun.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, it it kind of speaks to that brotherhood that that football, you know, brings us all that get that opportunity to participate. So that uh that's that's great. Um so uh yeah, going into Wednesday, just to highlight for our listeners, Corner Canyon and and and Jackson spoke to this. We're very proud of the fact that that we the Chargers were able to defeat Long Peak once again in the 6A state championship, which is the second three peat in eight years uh for the Chargers. I mean it's really remarkable. And and if there's anything that that uh designates a dynasty uh or demonstrates what a dynasty is, I I think what's been accomplished at Corner Canyon uh under Coach Care and and our players and our student athletes uh certainly meets that that criteria. Um so Jackson to kind of bring things to a close, talk a little bit about the game Wednesday night. What what are you now putting your uh analyst hat on? What are gonna be the keys to the game in that national championship game this Wednesday night at 5 p.m. on ESPN 2?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think it's gonna start with um you know the offensive defensive line um for each team. And uh I think that that's gonna really gain control of you know who's able to set the tempo of the game, who's gonna be able to um, you know, just have those opportunities where they're not in third and long situations and they can kind of stay ahead of the chains. Uh it's gonna be interesting because I feel like on each side, these are both teams where um you don't get a lot of experience of playing teams like it. You know, I feel like the defense and the athletes um that you know St. Francis has is a little bit different than kind of what you know maybe Corner has seen uh throughout this year from just like a a skill position and just overall just like individual talent. Um but then when I look at St. Francis and the teams that they've gone against, I don't feel like that they've been able to see an explosion of you know just playmakers all around the field from the offensive side of the ball. So I think it's gonna really come down to um you know corner's defense. You know, how are they gonna be able to um, you know, slow the game down, ex, you know, sl stop explosive plays, um, and being able to control the line of scrimmage. Uh, you know, they have some really good playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. I know their quarterback's a good player, and um it's gonna be fun to watch, but I think it's gonna come down to the line of scrimmage and who's gonna be able to control the game that way. And um, you know, a lot of the times that I feel like that really dictates games, especially when you're in um a situation like this where the talent is is very even when it comes to a playing field like this. And um it's just gonna be different. You know, I actually got to go watch the New Jersey state championship game, and you know, kind of the football that's being played there is a little bit different than the the football that's out here. So um I'm excited to see how corners passing game and um you know their attack with all their playmakers will will size up against, you know, this St. Francis defense and you know um the the talent that they have on that side of the ball.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, it's it's definitely uh clash of the Titans, uh and it's a it's really exciting that the you know two of the best teams in the country uh are gonna go uh head to head and they're both certainly uh worthy to play in the game. Um So, this is a question I like to ask our guests in our podcast to wrap things up. So many young people are struggling with so many different things these days in the world, and they got all kinds of challenges that they're facing. If you had to go back to your, let's say, 14, 15-year-old self, what advice would you give to that Jackson Dart maybe that would help inspire some of these young people that are maybe trying to search for direction or trying to figure out, you know, what to do in life. There's so many challenges and so many things going on. If you could go back, what what would that advice be to yourself that maybe could help some of our young people as they think about their future?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think a big word for me would be patience. Um, you know, understand that not everything is going to come to me immediately. And you have to get over the feeling of instant gratification. Um, I think at the same time you have to be, you know, very process driven at what you want to succeed and accomplish in life. And and really just try to simplify things for yourself. Like don't try to look at you know what everybody else is doing and and don't try to mimic and mock what you know what somebody else may be doing. You know, be being able to, you know, find, you know, what what is your why, you know, what is something that really drives you, what is something that um, you know, your dreams, you know, write those things down and um understand that not everything's gonna come at the snap of a finger. Um it's kind of just like the entrepreneurial, you know, mindset of you know, you got to keep pushing and um keep swinging that you know, eventually things are gonna work out if you're you know have the right mindset, you're process driven, you come to work, you come to whatever you may be doing every single day and just try to get 1% better. Um, but you know, it's it's definitely you know interesting to look back on you know how I felt at 14 um and going up into high school because for a little bit I was like, man, I don't even know if I'm gonna be able to play college football. Um so um, but you just got to be able to find what you love and uh you know find your your your why of you know what you want to do, why you want to do. And I think that that'll help you fall back in times of adversity to um you know push through and persevere through any hardships that you have.
SPEAKER_02:Well, I I think that's wonderful advice. And uh I hope all of our young people that that listen to our podcast will really take that to heart uh because uh I think that's advice that will serve serve them well. Um Jackson, thank you so much. We are so proud of you. Much love and and respect, and uh we want we want to wish you well. Man, every everybody here is we're all giant fans now, and just cheering you on, and and you've got uh a big group of people behind you here in Utah or State, but especially here in this community that that got to know you uh while you were here. So thank you for taking time with us. Uh just a reminder, folks, the championship game is going to be this Wednesday night at 5 o'clock on ESPN 2. We'll be hosting a watch party at Canyon School District Office if you want to join us for hot dogs and and take in the game. Again, this is our Connect Canyons podcast. And if you have ideas uh or topics that you'd like us to discuss, uh shoot us a text or an email and we'll take that up. So again, Jackson, wishing you all 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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