Wham, Bam, Thank You Sam, As QB Darnold Declares For The NFL Draft

No Comments January 16, 2018 USC Football By Vincent Morales

In January 2017, as a redshirt freshman quarterback, USC’s Sam Darnold led the Trojans’ football team to one of the most magnificent Rose Bowl victories ever.

Then, for an encore, he followed that up with the first 4,000 yard passing season in school history.

Yet, there are still those who are dubious about Darnold’s accomplishments and his future.

Buckeye Blackeye

Sure, after Darnold’s disastrous three turnovers in the Trojans’ bumbling 24-7 Cotton Bowl loss to Ohio State (despite outgaining the Buckeyes), it was easy to see why so many USC boosters renewed their calls to put head coach Clay Helton back on the hot seat that Lynn Swann first lit in 2016 and reignited earlier this season.

Swann Unhappy With Helton

Scott “Sheep in Sheep’s Clothing” Wolf of the SCNG wrote in The Orange County Register that “Multiple sources reported during the season that Swann was unhappy with Helton but knew it was not possible to make a change” especially after the Trojans won the Pac-12 Championship.

Now some boosters also seem alternately glad or bitter that Darnold declared for the NFL draft with two years of college eligibility remaining.

Sam Darnold: A Brilliant Star

To those jaded, self-important, over-indulged boosters I say: “Shut up and thank your lucky stars we had Sam shining brilliantly for two years!”

In Darnold’s two seasons (plus one redshirt year of stellar scout team performances) he brought excitement, hope, pride and victories back to Troy just three seasons after crippling NCAA sanctions completed their devastation on the SC depth chart.

During The Two Sensational Seasons of Sam:

USC finished 10-3 in 2016 and 11-3 in 2017.
USC was an undefeated 13-0 at home.
USC finished 2016 ranked No.3 and 2017 at No.12 in the final AP poll.
USC won a Rose Bowl and Pac-12 Conference title in back-to-back seasons.
Darnold compiled a 20-4 record in 24 starts.
Darnold’s 4,143 passing yards in 2017 set the USC single-season record formerly held by Heisman Trophy winner, Carson Palmer (3,942 in ’02) who recently announced his NFL retirement.
Darnold threw for 7,229 yards and 57 TD passes – 453 of those yards and 5 of those TDs in the all-time great come-from-behind 52-49 Rose Bowl victory over Penn State.
Darnold completed 65% of his passes and notched a 153.7 QB rating in his career.
Darnold saved USC from suffering through a full season of Max “Pencil Neck” Browne crumbling into a fetal position on every drop back.

Darnold Destined For Greatness

A common narrative that Darnold came out of nowhere to save USC isn’t quite accurate.

Darnold was destined for greatness and for the Trojans at an early age.

Darnold’s parents, Mike and Chris, both played intercollegiate sports and his sister plays volleyball in college. His grandfather, Dick “The Marlboro Man” Hammer played basketball for USC in the 1950s and was a U.S. Olympian in volleyball in 1964.

The 6’4” 220-lb, three-sport athlete from Capistrano Beach, California (my childhood hometown too, by the way) and San Clemente High (my alma mater also) missed most of his junior season with an injury, but still managed to be ranked as a Rivals.com 4-star QB recruit and was subsequently pursued by dozens of colleges across the country.

He played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, just as his possible successor, J.T. Daniels from Mater Dei HS (Santa Ana, California) did this year. (More on Daniels later.)

“Thanks, Coach Helton”

“To Coach Helton, I cannot thank you enough for believing in a kid from San Clemente High School, with such little game tape, and for giving me the opportunity and chance to start at such an incredible university,” Darnold said in an Instagram video he posted on January 3 to announce his decision to forego his two years of college eligibility and make himself available for the 2018 NFL draft.

As Darnold declared for the NFL draft and a likely selection in the first round, it was refreshing to see that he had not forgotten his Capo Beach and San Clemente roots.

“Thank You, San Clemente High School”

“I want to thank coach (Jaime) Ortiz, coach (Troy) Kopp, coach (Marc) Popovich and everyone involved with San Clemente High School… who tirelessly taught me how to work hard and strive for what I want,” Darnold also stated in his coming out video.

Darnold And Rosen Declare The Same Day

Darnold made his announcement just moments after UCLA junior QB, Josh Rosen declared on Twitter his entry to the NFL draft.

Like Darnold, Rosen is considered among the top QBs available in the upcoming pro football draft despite a disappointing record of just 18-20 as a starter for the Bruins.

NFL Experts Say Darnold Ready

Though I am among the USC supporters who believe Darnold’s development could benefit from one more year with the Trojans (evidence: his dipping release point, tendency to throw off his back foot when pressured in the pocket, occasional confused defensive reads, and NCAA-leading 22 turnovers this year), I am not in the majority.

NFL draft experts have declared Darnold ready to play on Sundays.

Rosen No. 1, Darnold No. 2

ESPN draft pundits Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay both rank Darnold as the #2 QB prospect. Kiper slates him #5 overall and McShay rates him #3. Rosen is ranked as the top QB in this year’s draft.

Darnold, Jones II & Burnett To NFL

I do not begrudge Darnold’s decision to leave SC early. However, I do worry about USC’s prospects for repeating as Pac-12 South and Conference champions in 2018, short Darnold and without WR Deontay Burnett and RB Ronald Jones II, who have also declared for this year’s NFL draft.

USC Will Continue To Rise

Darnold believes USC has “set a championship culture that will do great things in the future,” despite the major departures on offense.

“USC is going to continue to rise and continue to win a bunch of championships,” crowed Darnold in his farewell video.

Trojans Sign Two Mater Dei Standouts

Indeed, USC has signed 14 early high school commits, including Mater Dei teammates and stars of this year’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl, J.T.Daniels and his prime WR target, Amon-Ra St. Brown, the No.1 ranked prospect in California.

Plus, 2017 breakout players, RB Stephen Carr (615 all-purpose yards in 2017) and WR Michael Pittman Jr. (493 APY), will return to USC on the offensive side. The much-maligned offensive line, filled with underclassmen, should only improve.

Trio Of Young, Untested USC Quarterbacks in 2018

A three-way competition at quarterback this spring – among redshirt freshman Matt Fink, redshirt freshman Jack Sears (like Darnold, from San Clemente High School) and incoming early enrollee, Daniels – will go a long way to ensure a battle-tested youngster will be taking snaps as the SC starter in the 2018 home opener against UNLV at the Coliseum on Sept. 1.

Whoever emerges from the spring QB battle will have some mighty big cleats to fill and a giant legacy to uphold in succeeding one of the all-time USC greats.

Thank You And Good Luck, Sam!

Thank you, Sam! Good luck in the NFL! Fight on, my Trojan brethren.

Maybe I’ll run into you at Pedro’s Tacos sometime. Carne asada burritos and fish tacos are on me.

image: espn.com

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Vincent Morales

Vincent Morales graduated from the University of Southern California, School of Journalism and was the associate sports director at the student-run radio station where he was a play-by-play announcer and color commentator for hundreds of USC sporting events including two Rose Bowls and the inaugural conference basketball tournament.

Recently, Morales was the marketing manager and publicist for a world-renowned sports artist and was instrumental in securing and maintaining deals for the artist to work with Stephen Curry, Aaron Rodgers, Derek Jeter, Floyd Mayweather, Mayweather Promotions, the Topps Company, Steiner Sports, and Fanatics Authentic, among many others.

Morales is a lifelong resident of southern California.