Sam Darnold is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL. Born on June 5, 1997, in Dana Point, California, he played college football at USC, where he distinguished himself as a highly efficient and productive quarterback. At USC, Darnold set multiple records, including being the only Trojan quarterback to have back-to-back games with five passing touchdowns and leading the nation in several freshman quarterback categories such as passing efficiency and completion percentage[1]. Darnold was drafted third overall in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, marking him as one of the highest selections of his class[2][4]. He was the youngest quarterback to start an NFL game at the time, debuting with a strong win over the Detroit Lions. However, his tenure with the Jets was marked by inconsistency and injuries, limiting him to no more than 13 starts in any season and a career record of 17-32 as a starter with the team[4]. Following his time with the Jets, Darnold spent a period with the Carolina Panthers and later signed as a backup quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers, where he was noted for outperforming Trey Lance in the depth chart during the offseason[5]. In 2025, Darnold signed a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks, where he currently plays, bringing eight years of NFL experience and standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 225 pounds[2][6][7]. Throughout his career, Darnold has been recognized for his resilience and adaptability, transitioning from a highly promising college star to navigating the challenges of professional football with multiple teams. His current role with the Seahawks reflects his ongoing relevance in the league as a seasoned quarterback[3][5][6].