26 Facts About Darnold

Darnold played college football at USC, where he became the first freshman to win the Archie Griffin Award, and was selected third overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Darnold served as the Jets' starter from 2018 to 2020 until he was traded to the Panthers in 2021.

Darnold started playing basketball when he was five years old.

Darnold attended San Clemente High School in San Clemente, California.

Darnold threw a touchdown pass and scored the game-winning two-point conversion, but returned to playing receiver and linebacker a week later.

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When he legitimately became the school's quarterback, Darnold broke the school record for the most touchdown passes in a game when he threw five on two occasions.

Darnold received scholarship offers to play college football from schools like Oregon, Utah, Northwestern and Duke.

In three games as backup quarterback, Darnold saw limited action, completing 14-of-22 passes for two touchdowns and an interception.

The USC offense recorded an average of 37 points and 518 yards per game, while Darnold set the school record for most passing touchdowns by a freshman with 26, ten more than the previous record set by Todd Marinovich in 1989.

Against Arizona and California, Darnold became the first quarterback in school history to record five touchdown passes in consecutive games, while throwing for multiple touchdowns in eight straight games, the first USC quarterback to do so since Matt Leinart did in 2004.

Darnold was named the 2016 Pac-12 Conference Freshman Offensive Player of the Year in late November.

Darnold was named to the Football Writers Association of America's Freshman All-America team.

Darnold then led an overtime victory over the Texas Longhorns during which he drove the Trojans to a game-tying field goal in the final 39 seconds of regulation.

Darnold was selected by the New York Jets in the first round, with the third overall selection, of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Darnold's first pass resulted in an interception returned for a touchdown by Quandre Diggs.

Darnold suffered through a foot injury, which sidelined him and caused Josh McCown to start for the Jets.

Darnold led the team on its game-winning drive, completing a 37-yard pass to Robby Anderson to help set up a touchdown run by Elijah McGuire.

Darnold was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.

Darnold briefly left the game with a shoulder injury after a sack but was allowed back in the game.

In Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Darnold reaggravated his shoulder injury and missed the Jets' next two games.

Darnold made his return in Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins.

Darnold would go on to replace a struggling Cam Newton in the second quarter of a Week 16 game against the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Darnold was named the backup for the 2022 season after losing a preseason competition to new acquisition and 2018 draftmate Baker Mayfield.

Darnold's mother is a physical education teacher at Shorecliffs Middle School.

Darnold's older sister Franki is a college volleyball player at the University of Rhode Island.

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Darnold's friends include fellow quarterbacks Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Kyle Allen of the Houston Texans, and the three often train together in the offseason.