| Human Profile | |
| Name: | Samuel Richard Darnold |
| Birthday: | June 5, 1997 (age 28 years), Born in Dana Point, California |
| Height: | 6'3" (191 cm) |
| Education: | San Clemente High School (Diploma) University of Southern California (Dropped Out), Communication |
Overview
Samuel Richard Darnold is an American professional football quarterback known for his collegiate success at USC, where he set a freshman passing touchdown record, led the Trojans to a Rose Bowl victory, and won the Archie Griffin Award, before being drafted third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft and going on to earn Pro Bowl selections and lead a team to a Super Bowl appearance.
Latest News (Feb 6, 2026): As he prepares to start for the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX against the Patriots, Sam Darnold has remained a limited participant in recent practices due to an oblique injury but is reportedly "right on schedule" for the game. His recent performance in the NFC Championship win over the Rams has sparked a wave of content, including a film breakdown by Chase Daniel that earned over 13,000 views and a featured analysis from The QB School within the past five days.
Early Life and Family
Samuel Richard Darnold was born on June 5, 1997, in Dana Point, California, to Mike and Chris Darnold. He was raised in Capistrano Beach, California. His father, Mike, played college football as an offensive lineman at the University of Redlands, and his mother, Chris, is a physical education teacher who played college volleyball at Long Beach City College. Darnold comes from an athletic family; his older sister, Franki, played college volleyball at the University of Rhode Island. His grandfather, Dick Hammer, was a USC athlete and an actor who appeared in commercials.
Darnold attended San Clemente High School in San Clemente, California. In high school, he was a multi-sport athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball. On the basketball court, he was twice named South Coast League Most Valuable Player. In football, he played wide receiver and linebacker before becoming the starting quarterback.
Collegiate Career at USC
After high school, Samuel Richard Darnold attended the University of Southern California (USC), where he played quarterback for the Trojans. In his two seasons at USC, he completed 549 of 846 passes for 7,229 yards and 57 touchdowns.
In his first season in 2016, he set a USC record for most passing touchdowns by a freshman with 31. That season, he led the Trojans to a memorable 52-49 victory over Penn State in the Rose Bowl. In his sophomore season in 2017, he threw for 4,143 yards and 26 touchdowns. Following his successful collegiate career, he became the first freshman to win the Archie Griffin Award.
Professional Football Career
Samuel Richard Darnold was selected as the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He spent three seasons with the Jets before being traded to the Carolina Panthers. Darnold’s time with the Panthers saw him alternating between a starting and backup role for two seasons. He then spent a season as a backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.
In 2024, he had a breakout season with the Minnesota Vikings, leading them to the playoffs and earning Pro Bowl honors. Following his successful year with the Vikings, he signed a three-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks. In his first season with the Seahawks, he led them to their conference’s top seed and an appearance in Super Bowl LX, earning a second Pro Bowl selection.
Personal Life
In July 2025, Samuel Richard Darnold became engaged to Katie Hoofnagle. He maintains a close relationship with his family, who have been supportive throughout his career. His friends include fellow quarterbacks Josh Allen and Kyle Allen, with whom he often trains in the offseason.