Sam Darnold's Collegiate Career: From USC Standout to NFL Prospect
Samuel Richard "Sam" Darnold, born on June 5, 1997, has carved out a notable career in American professional football. Before his journey through the NFL, which has seen him play for multiple franchises and ultimately achieve success, Darnold honed his skills at the University of Southern California (USC). This article delves into his college career, exploring his recruitment, performance, and impact on the Trojans football program.
Early Life and High School Career
Born in Dana Point, California, Darnold attended San Clemente High School, where he excelled in both football and basketball. In basketball, he earned the South Coast League Most Valuable Player award twice and was named to the all-CIF team. His basketball coach, Marc Popovich, noted that Darnold's skills on the court translated well to football, particularly his ability to make accurate long-distance passes after rebounds. On the football team, Darnold initially played wide receiver and linebacker. However, he transitioned to quarterback during his sophomore year after an injury to the starting quarterback.
Recruitment and Arrival at USC
Darnold was a highly sought-after four-star recruit in the 2015 recruiting class. According to 247Sports' Composite rankings, he was ranked as the No. 148 player in the class, the No. 5 dual-threat quarterback, and the No. 21 player in the state of California. Other notable quarterbacks in the same recruiting class included Joe Burrow (LSU), Kyler Murray (Oklahoma), and Lamar Jackson (Louisville). Darnold committed to USC, joining a quarterback room that already featured Cody Kessler and Max Browne.
Redshirt Freshman Year (2015)
Darnold redshirted his true freshman year in 2015, allowing him to develop and learn the Trojans' offensive system without using a year of eligibility. During this time, he observed and learned from experienced quarterbacks like Kessler and Browne.
2016 Season: Taking the Reins
Entering the 2016 season as a redshirt freshman, Darnold was initially the second-string quarterback behind Max Browne. In limited action during the first three games, he completed 14 of 22 passes for two touchdowns and an interception. After a 1-2 start to the season, Browne was benched, and Darnold was named the starting quarterback.
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In his first career start against the Utah Utes, Darnold completed 18 of 26 passes for 253 yards and recorded a rushing touchdown, though USC lost 31-27. Despite the loss, Darnold's performance showed promise, and the Trojans did not lose another game for the remainder of the season. This winning streak included a 26-13 upset victory over the #4-ranked Washington Huskies.
Under Darnold's leadership, the USC offense averaged 37 points and 518 yards per game. He set a school record for most passing touchdowns by a freshman with 26, surpassing the previous record of 16 set by Todd Marinovich in 1989. Against Arizona and California, Darnold became the first quarterback in school history to record five touchdown passes in consecutive games.
USC was invited to play in the 2017 Rose Bowl, their first appearance in the bowl game in eight seasons. In a thrilling 52-49 victory over Penn State, Darnold completed 33 of 53 passes for 453 yards and set Rose Bowl records for passing touchdowns (5) and total yards (473).
2017 Season: Heisman Hopes and NFL Draft Buzz
Entering the 2017 season as a redshirt sophomore, Darnold was an early favorite for the Heisman Trophy and a projected first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, the season did not begin as expected. In the first six games, he matched the number of interceptions he had thrown in the previous year. This was attributed to a new receiving group, numerous injuries, and questionable coaching decisions.
Despite the challenges, Darnold continued to display his talent and leadership. He finished the season with 303 completions on 480 attempts for 4,143 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also added 82 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 75 carries.
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USC Statistics
Here's a year-by-year breakdown of Darnold's stats at USC:
- 2016: 246-of-366 passing (67.2%) for 3,086 yards with 31 touchdowns and nine interceptions; 62 carries for 250 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns
- 2017: 303-of-480 passing (63.1%) for 4,143 yards with 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions; 75 carries for 82 rushing yards with five rushing touchdowns
NFL Draft and Career
After three years at USC, Darnold declared for the 2018 NFL Draft. He was selected by the New York Jets with the No. 3 overall pick. His NFL career has included stints with the Jets, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, and Minnesota Vikings before finding success with the Seattle Seahawks.
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