Samuel Richard Darnold, a quarterback with the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League, was born on June 5, 1997.

He played college football at USC, where he created history by becoming the first freshman to win the Archie Griffin Award, and was selected third overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft.

At age 21, he was the NFL’s youngest opening-day starting quarterback since the AFL-NFL merger. Darnold began for the Jets from 2018 to 2020 before being traded to the Panthers in 2021.

Where did Sam Darnold go to college? Did Sam Darnold play college football?

Darnold, a redshirt freshman, began the 2016 campaign as Max Browne’s backup quarterback. Darnold, the backup quarterback, had a limited role in three games, completing 14 of 22 passes for two touchdowns and one interception.

After the team’s record started off at 1-2, Browne was benched in favor of Darnold. In his first career start for USC against the Utah Utes, Darnold completed 18 of 26 passes for 253 yards and a rushing touchdown, but the Trojans still lost 27-31.

After the loss, Darnold’s Trojans won all of their subsequent games without losing, including an unexpected 26-13 victory over the #4-ranked Washington Huskies.