While his NFL career certainly hasn’t been smooth, Sam Darnold has always had the talent to become a starter at the professional level, as shown in his college days with the USC Trojans.
Where Did Sam Darnold Go To College?
USC has had a prior history of developing impressive quarterbacks.
In 2004, the Trojans famously went undefeated, including an Orange Bowl victory, and were led at quarterback by Matt Leinart, who famously lit up the college football world throwing for 3326 yards and 33 touchdowns to only six interceptions while winning the Heisman Trophy.
From 2006 to 2007, USC quarterback John David Booty led the team to two consecutive Rose Bowls, providing great quarterback play.
A year later, Mark Sanchez excelled at USC, throwing for over 3000 yards, and would be drafted fifth overall in the 2009 NFL Draft.
This tradition of great quarterback play made USC the premier choice for Darnold, who would have the great challenge of living up to the play of his predecessors.
Darnold’s Arrival at USC
Darnold’s tenure as quarterback at San Clemente High School had not necessarily been smooth sailing. He had shown great potential, throwing a last-minute touchdown against Tesoro High School. Yet, injuries, including a broken foot in his junior year, hindered his chances at playing in college.
By the time USC coaches Steve Sarkisian, Clay Helton, and Marques Tuisasosopo watched Darnold’s throwing session, he had not received a scholarship offer from USC. What they saw was clearly enough to convince them. The kid from South Carolina would be traveling to the Sunshine State of California.
Darnold would be entering a quarterback room with only one other player with college experience, Max Browne. Entering the 2016 season, the only player to throw a pass other than those two was wide receiver Jalen Greene. It was clear that Darnold was being handed the keys to the Trojan offense, and that would decide their success.
Browne started the first three games to allow Darnold time to acclimate to the college level. In the few snaps he got, Darnold showed flashes, especially against the Utah State Aggies, throwing two touchdowns.
Darnold would start the remaining ten games and go 9-1, throwing the ball with confidence and providing 29 touchdowns, including three games with five passing touchdowns. One of these was the Rose Bowl against Penn State, which USC would win 52-49, where their blossoming quarterback earned Rose Bowl MVP honors.
After his stellar debut season, Darnold would continue his great play at USC. In his final season with the Trojans in 2017, he threw for 4143 yards and 26 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. Darnold would also lead the PAC-12 with 8.4 passing yards per attempt and was second in passing touchdowns.
Darnold’s Welcome to the NFL
Although Darnold could not repeat the same playoff success as in 2016, losing the Cotton Bowl to the Ohio State Buckeyes, his time at USC was successful enough to garner attention from the NFL as a boom-or-bust-prospect who needed to develop.
The New York Jets selected him third overall, but Darnold’s time in New York didn’t work out. He bounced around the league, playing for the Carolina Panthers and San Fransisco 49ers before reviving his career with the Minnesota Vikings.
No NFL career plays out exactly as planned—Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield can attest to that—but that is the magic of the NFL. After guiding the Vikings to the NFL Playoffs in 2024, time will tell if Darnold will continue to play with the same poise he played with at USC.
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