Sam Darnold

At 26 years old, Sam Darnold has this physical status:

Samuel Richard Darnold (born June 5, 1997) is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football at USC and was drafted third overall by the Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft. Darnold, a two-sport athlete at San Clemente High School, played football and basketball.

He was recruited to USC and joined the football team, making him regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com.

In 2016, he served as the second-string quarterback before being named the starter after three games after redshirting his freshman year.

As a redshirt freshman starter, he set multiple USC freshman records and led the Trojans to nine straight victories, culminating in a win at the 2017 Rose Bowl.

Darnold declared for the 2018 NFL Draft at the end of his redshirt sophomore season.

Early years

Darnold was born in Dana Point, California, on June 5, 1997. He started playing basketball when he was five years old.

Darnold attended San Clemente High School in San Clemente, California. He played football and basketball in his freshman year after playing baseball. Darnold excelled in his high school basketball career, winning the South Coast League Most Valuable Player twice and being named to the all-CIF squad twice. Darnold's basketball skills helped translate into football, according to basketball coach Marc Popovich, who was "the only one" [I've] ever had] that could get a defensive rebound and shoot a 70-foot pass on target, as opposed to a guy breaking out in the fastbreak. It was almost Wes Unseld-like. Darnold may have played college basketball in the Pac-12 Conference or the Mountain West Conference "at worst," Popovich said.

Darnold was a wide receiver and linebacker on the football team, but he played quarterback as a sophomore after the starting quarterback was injured in a game against Tesoro High School. He threw a touchdown pass and scored the game-winning two-point conversion, but he returned to playing receiver and linebacker a week later. Darnold set the school record for the most touchdown passes in a game when he threw five on two occasions. He missed a large portion of his junior year due to a foot injury. San Clemente's senior year, the team reached the CIF-South Division Southwest Division championship game, where they lost 37–44 to Trabuco Hills High School in a comeback upset after Sam was forced to leave the game due to a concussion. He ended his senior season with 3,000 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, as well as 800 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.

Darnold was rated by Rivals.com as the eighth best dual-threat quarterback in his class and the 179th best player overall. However, he did not have a video of him at recruiting camps, preferring to see his play in games. As a result, San Clemente head football coach Jaime Ortiz decided to show football coaches videos of his basketball career. He has been accepted into college football from colleges including Oregon, Utah, Northwestern, and Duke. Clay Helton and Steve Sarkisian were captivated by Darnold's appearance at a football camp, and they were given a scholarship to play for the Trojans.

Personal life

Darnold's mother is a physical education instructor at Shorecliff Middle School. Franki, his older sister, is a college volleyball player at the University of Rhode Island. Dick Hammer, the grandfather of Marlboro Man and USC athlete, was a Marlboro Man actor and a USC athlete.

Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Kyle Allen of the Houston Texans are among Darnold's friends, who train together in the offseason.

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College career

Justin Wilcox, the USC's defensive coordinator, wanted Darnold to play linebacker before he declined. Darnold redshirted for his freshman year as he came in second behind Cody Kessler and Max Browne on the depth chart in the 2015 season.

Darnold, who was a redshirt freshman, was the second-string quarterback behind Max Browne in the 2016 season. Darnold saw little action in three games as a backup quarterback, clocking 14-of-22 passes for two touchdowns and an intercept. Browne was suspended in favour of Darnold after a 1–2 start to the season. Darnold completed 18-of-26 passes for 253 yards and recorded a rushing touchdown as USC defeated Utah 38-31. Darnold's Trojans did not miss a game for the remainder of the season, including a 26-13 victory over the #4-ranked Washington Huskies, despite the loss. The USC offense averaged 37 points and 518 yards per game, while Darnold set the school record for most passing touchdowns by a freshman with 26, ten more than the previous record set by Todd Marinovich in 1989. Darnold was the first quarterback in school history to pass five touchdown passes in consecutive games against Arizona and California, as well as throwing for multiple touchdowns in eight straight games, the first USC quarterback to do so since Matt Leinart did in 2004. Darnold's total passing yards on the ground were 230, the most by a USC quarterback since Reggie Perry's 254 yards in 1991. In late November, Darnold was named the 2016 Pac-12 Conference Freshman Offensive Player of the Year.

The 2017 Rose Bowl marked the club's first appearance in the bowl in eight seasons. Darnold completed 33-of-53 passes for 453 yards in the 52-49 victory over Penn State, while also setting new Rose Bowl records in passing touchdowns (5) and total yards (453). The 453 yards ranked second in the bowl's history, only behind Danny O'Neil's 456 in the 1995 game.

Darnold was awarded the Archie Griffin Award, which was given annually to college football's most valuable player to his team throughout the season, on January 4, 2017, an award that no other freshman had ever won before. Darnold was also selected to the Football Writers Association of America's Freshman All-America team.

Darnold, a redshirt sophomore who made the Heisman Trophy early in the season, later becoming a first-round pick in the 2018 draft. Darnold's season did not begin in the way he hoped. He had matched the number of interceptions against him in six games as he had in the previous year. This was due to the breaking in a new receiver group, several injuries, and questionable coaching decisions. Despite this, he led the United StatesC to a landslide over Stanford by 42–24 points. In the final 39 seconds of regulation, he led the Trojans to an overtime win over the Texas Longhorns during which he led the Trojans to a game-tying field goal. Darnold led the USC to the Pac-12 Conference championship with a 31–28 victory over Stanford in the conference championship game where he was named the game's MVP after throwing for over 300 yards and two touchdowns. Despite having 356 passing yards, the Trojans were defeated by the Ohio State Buckeyes, 24-7.

Professional career

Darnold revealed on January 3, 2018 that he will enter the 2018 NFL Draft.

Darnold was drafted by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, a third overall pick. Darnold signed a four-year contract worth $30.25 million fully guaranteed, with a $20 million signing bonus with the Jets on July 30, 2018.

Darnold made his professional debut on August 10, in the first preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, where he finished with 96 passing yards and a touchdown as the Jets defeated the Atlanta Falcons, where he scored. Darnold was the starter for Week 1 of the season on August 29.

Darnold started his season on September 10, 2018 against the Detroit Lions, making him the youngest opening-day starting quarterback since the AFL–NFL merger. Quandre Diggs' intercepted him on his first pass, resulting in an interception returned for a touchdown. However, when the Jets defeated 48–17, he responded well and finished with 198 passing yards and two touchdowns. Darnold finished with 334 passing yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions as the Jets defeated the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 in Week 2. Darnold finished with 169 passing yards and two interceptions against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 on Thursday Night Football, defeating the Jets 21-17. Darnold had 167 passing yards and a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4 as the Jets lost 31-12. Darnold finished with 198 passing yards, three touchdowns, and an interception during Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, while the Jets had 323 passing yards and defeated 34-16. Darnold completed with 280 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception as the Jets defeated the Indianapolis Colts on Week 6, defeating 42-34. Darnold had four turnovers against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7, including 3 interceptions and a lost fumble. The Jets lost 37–17, with 206 passing yards and a touchdown. Darnold finished with 153 passing yards and a touchdown against the Chicago Bears on Week 8 as the Jets lost 24–10.

Darnold threw four interceptions during a rematch against the Dolphins in Week 9, finishing the game with 229 passing yards in a 13–6 loss to the Jets. Darnold suffered from a foot injury that sidelined him and forced Josh McCown to start for the Jets. Darnold returned to action against the Buffalo Bills and fellow rookie quarterback Josh Allen after missing three games due to a foot injury. Darnold had to miss the game due to an ankle injury on the same foot, but the Jets recovered with 170 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception as the Jets broke their six-game losing streak and defeated 27–23. Elijah McGuire led the team on its game-winning run, making a 37-yard pass to Robby Anderson to help set up a touchdown run. Darnold finished with 253 passing yards and two touchdowns against the Houston Texans on Saturday Night Football as the Jets lost 29–22. Darnold finished with 341 passing yards and three touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. The Jets led by 16 points but lost 44–38 in overtime. Darnold finished with 167 passing yards against the New England Patriots in Week 17 as the Jets lost 38–3 in the regular-season finale. Darnold had 2,865 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and 15 interceptions during the season.

Darnold led the Jets to a touchdown and 179 passing yards in Week 1. Despite the Jets leading by 16–0 midway through the third quarter and four takeaways, the team lost 16–17. Darnold was diagnosed with mononucleosis on September 12, and he has since missed three games. In Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, where he had 338 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception as the Jets defeated the Dallas Cowboys, where he had 338 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Darnold threw a 92-yard touchdown pass to Robby Anderson in the game. For his effort, he was voted the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. With Darnold throwing four interceptions and losing a fumble as the Jets shut down 33-0 on Monday Night Football against the New England Patriots in Week 7, the Jets only had 154 total yards of offense, with Darnold throwing four interceptions and losing a fumble. Darnold, who was mic'd up, was seen as "seeing ghosts" while playing during the game, sparking ridicule by criticizing NFL fanbases.

Darnold's touchdowns, two interceptions, and three interceptions were all available during Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, losing 29–15. Darnold finished with 260 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception as the Jets lost 26–18. Darnold had 230 passing yards, 25 passing yards, and two total touchdowns as the Jets defeated the New York Giants in Week 10 against the New York Giants. Darnold finished with 293 passing yards, four touchdowns, and an interception as the Jets defeated the Redskins in Week 11 for 317. Darnold led the Jets to 34-3 on Week 12 against the Oakland Raiders, scoring 315 passing yards and two touchdowns. Darnold passed for 239 yards in Week 13, but offensive line penalties proved to be costly as the Jets lost 22–6 to the Cincinnati Bengals, but offensive line penalties were costly. Darnold led the Jets to a 22–21 victory in Week 14, finishing with 270 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Darnold finished the 2019 season with 3,024 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, as well as 33 carries for 62 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Darnold led the Jets to 215 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception during Week 1's season opener against the Buffalo Bills. Darnold finished with 179 passing yards and a touchdown during the Jets' home opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Week 2 in Week 2. Darnold finished with 168 passing yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions, two of which were returned for a touchdown during Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. As the Jets lost 36-27, he was suspended in the endzone for a safety. Darnold finished with 230 passing yards, 86 rushing yards, and highlighted a big play in Week 4 with a 46-yard touchdown. After a sack, he was able to return to action for a brief period of time, but the game was allowed back. Despite this, the Jets lost 37–28. Darnold returned against the Bills in Week 7 after missing two games due to shoulder pain, finishing with 120 passing yards and two interceptions as the Jets lost 18–10. Darnold aggravated his shoulder injury in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs and missed the Jets' next two games. In Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins, he made his return to the Miami Dolphins. Darnold continued to fail during the game, throwing for 197 yards and two interceptions in the 20–3 loss. Darnold threw for 186 yards, two touchdowns, one intercept, and one intercept, as well as a rushing touchdown against the Las Vegas Cowboys in Week 13. This was Darnold's first game of the season in which he had more touchdown passes than interceptions. Darnold finished the season with 2,208 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, along with 217 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in 12 games as the Jets defeated Darnold.

Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021 in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round pick and second- and fourth-round picks. The team exercised the fifth-year option on Darnold's deal on April 30, 2021, earning the team a guaranteed $18.858 million for the 2022 season.

Darnold made his Panther debut against his former team, the New York Jets, on September 12, 2021. As they defeated 19–14, he passed for 279 passing yards and a touchdown, as well as adding a five-yard rushing touchdown. Darnold threw for 305 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception as the Panthers defeated the New Orleans Saints 27–7. As the Panthers defeated the Houston Texans, Darnold threw for 304 yards and rushed for two touchdowns. Darnold sustained a fractured scapula during the Panthers' 6–24 loss to the New England Patriots, which required him to miss four to six weeks due to a shoulder injury. On November 12, 2021, he was put on injured reserve. He was activated on December 25. In the second quarter of a Week 16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Darnold would go on to replace a weakened Cam Newton. As the Panthers went on to lose 32-6, he completed 15 of 32 passes for 190 yards. It was the team's tenth defeat in 12 games. Darnold recorded 2,527 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, as well as 48 carries for 222 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in the 2021 season.

Darnold was named the backup for the 2022 season after losing a preseason match to new acquisition and 2018 drafter Baker Mayfield. Darnold left the game with an ankle injury during his third preseason game against the Bills. It was determined that it was a high ankle sprain, which required 4-6 weeks to recover. Darnold was put on injured reserve on September 1, 2022, and he was released on September 1, 2022.

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Highlights and awards

• AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 6, 2019)