Sam Darnold scouting report: personal history, background

As each day passes we get closer to the 2018 NFL Draft, meaning one day closer to the Buffalo Bills probably picking a quarterback in the first round. As we approach the big night, we take a look at the background of USC signal caller Sam Darnold, who is expected to be taken in the first three picks.

Sam Darnold is a 20-year-old from Capistrano Beach in Orange County, California. During his time at USC he’s been majoring in communications, a common major for athletes, especially those trying to transfer into broadcast after they retire.

Darnold wasn’t the star quarterback his entire time in high school. In fact, he originally played wide receiver and linebacker, coming in to play QB in one game when the starter got injured, but moving right back to receiver the next week. He eventually took over as full time QB as a junior. In fact, some USC coaches even wanted him to play LB when he first got to college, but he declined.

Darnold was rated as a four-star recruit by all the major sites coming out of high school, but didn’t attend many prospect camps, which equated to fewer offers from colleges. He received offers from Oregon, Utah, Duke and Northwestern before eventually gaining an offer from the Trojans after coaches saw him throwing at one of the few camps he attended.

Darnold has a sister who currently plays volleyball at the University of Rhode Island.

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