How Old is Sam Darnold? Sam Darnold, the talented NFL quarterback, has made quite a name for himself since entering the professional football scene. Known for his strong arm, mobility, and potential as a franchise quarterback, Darnold’s journey through football has been marked by both significant highs and challenging lows. As fans and sports analysts keep a close eye on his development, one question that often comes up is, how old is Sam Darnold? In this article, we’ll answer that question while also exploring Darnold’s background, career trajectory, and what the future holds for this promising athlete.
How Old Is Sam Darnold?
Sam Darnold was born on June 5, 1997, which makes him 27 years old as of 2024. Despite his relatively young age, Darnold has already experienced a variety of challenges and successes in his career, with significant time spent in both college and the NFL.
Early Life and High School Football
Sam Darnold was born in Redondo Beach, California, and grew up in the Los Angeles area. From an early age, it was clear that Darnold had an aptitude for sports, particularly football. He attended San Clemente High School, where he played quarterback for the school’s football team.
During his time at San Clemente, Darnold’s skills as a quarterback were already starting to shine. He quickly became a top recruit in California, impressing scouts with his physical attributes, including his size and arm strength. His performance in high school earned him attention from major college football programs, setting the stage for his future success.
College Football Career at USC
After high school, Darnold continued his football journey by committing to the University of Southern California (USC), where he played for the USC Trojans. Darnold spent three seasons at USC, from 2015 to 2017, showcasing his exceptional talents as a dual-threat quarterback.
In his freshman year (2015), Darnold served as a backup quarterback, but he soon earned a starting role and quickly became a standout player in the Pac-12 Conference. By his sophomore season (2016), Darnold led the Trojans to a Rose Bowl victory over Penn State and established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in college football.
Darnold’s junior year in 2017 was a continuation of his strong performance, but his decision to enter the NFL Draft after that season was a significant turning point. Throughout his time at USC, Darnold displayed great maturity, mobility, and decision-making, traits that caught the attention of NFL scouts.
NFL Draft and Career Beginnings
In the 2018 NFL Draft, Sam Darnold was selected third overall by the New York Jets, making him one of the most highly anticipated quarterbacks of his draft class. At just 21 years old, Darnold was stepping into the NFL with sky-high expectations, ready to lead the Jets toward future success. His youth, arm strength, and potential as a franchise quarterback were seen as valuable assets for a team looking to rebuild its offense.
Darnold made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2018 season, facing off against the Detroit Lions. He showed glimpses of his potential with an impressive performance, earning the title of the youngest quarterback in Jets history to start a season opener. Over the course of his rookie year, Darnold exhibited flashes of brilliance but also struggled with consistency. He finished the season with 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, a solid but unspectacular rookie campaign.
Challenges with the New York Jets
Darnold’s time with the Jets was a rollercoaster ride. While he showed promise in certain games, the team as a whole struggled with offensive inconsistency and coaching changes. His second season (2019) was marked by a major setback, as Darnold missed a few games due to a mononucleosis diagnosis. Despite these challenges, Darnold continued to show moments of potential, leading the Jets to several victories and finishing the season with 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
However, despite these flashes of potential, the Jets remained inconsistent, and the team struggled to put together a complete offensive scheme. The lack of support around Darnold, coupled with frequent coaching changes, led to a challenging period for the young quarterback.
Move to the Carolina Panthers
In 2021, after three seasons with the Jets, Sam Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round pick, along with second- and fourth-round picks in 2022. The move marked a fresh start for Darnold, who was hoping to turn around his career with the Panthers under head coach Matt Rhule.
Darnold’s first few games with the Panthers showed promise, with the team winning their first three games of the season. However, as the season progressed, Darnold struggled with consistency and ultimately lost his starting position. The Panthers ended the season with a disappointing record, and Darnold’s future with the team was uncertain heading into 2022.
Future of Sam Darnold
Despite the challenges Darnold has faced over his first few seasons in the NFL, many analysts and fans still believe that he has the talent to be a successful starting quarterback in the league. As of 2024, Darnold is still working to find his footing, and whether he will develop into a long-term starting quarterback remains to be seen.
For now, at 27 years old, Darnold is still considered a relatively young quarterback in NFL terms. Many players do not hit their peak until they are in their late 20s or early 30s, meaning Darnold still has time to prove himself. Whether with the Panthers or another team, it remains to be seen how Darnold’s career will unfold, but his age and raw talent suggest that he has plenty of opportunities ahead.
Conclusion
To answer the original question, Sam Darnold is 27 years old as of 2024. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout his career, he still has time to grow and improve as a quarterback. As a young player with great potential, Darnold has the opportunity to develop into a leader for a franchise and showcase his skills on a more consistent basis.
Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on Darnold’s career trajectory, as his story is far from over. Whether he finds success in Carolina or elsewhere, one thing is clear: at just 27, Sam Darnold’s football journey is still unfolding, and the future is full of possibilities.