Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold comes from a lineage of USC signal-callers with high-profile backgrounds. The former No. 3 overall pick might be on his way to becoming one of the best in his school’s history — at the NFL level, at least.
Darnold, who rebuilt his career with the Vikings last season after failed tenures with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers — along with a backup stint with the San Francisco 49ers — has led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl appearance in his first season with the organization. It’s the first time a former USC quarterback will start in the Super Bowl, despite the school producing numerous first-round passers.
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Darnold signed a three-year contract worth $100.5 million total with the Seahawks in 2025 and passed for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns to 14 interceptions in the regular season. The 28-year-old has come a long way since looking like the latest bust quarterback out of USC.
Darnold is looking to become the first USC quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl in the blue-blood’s history. Here’s what to know of Darnold ahead of the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, California:
Has a USC quarterback ever started the Super Bowl?
While multiple former USC quarterbacks have been close to the Super Bowl before, Darnold in 2026 is the first signal-caller from the school set to start the NFL championship game.
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Others such as Mark Sanchez, Carson Palmer and current Chicago Bears starting quarterback Caleb Williams have come somewhat close. Even Matt Cassel, who never threw a touchdown pass with the Trojans, amassed a 3-2 record in the NFL playoffs, reaching the AFC Championship game in 2007 with the New England Patriots.
Sanchez went to the AFC Championship twice with the Jets in 2010 and 2011, but fell to the Colts and Steelers in back-to-back seasons. Palmer also led the Arizona Cardinals to the NFC Championship game, but lost to the Carolina Panthers in 2016.
USC has the most quarterbacks ever selected in the NFL draft with 26 — one more than second-place Notre Dame. Darnold, once considered a misfire after he was selected ahead of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, is the first from USC to start the Super Bowl.
Top 10 ranked USC quarterbacks
USA TODAY Sports recently ranked the best USC quarterbacks in the NFL. The list is a lot less impressive than one might think, given the Trojans’ history as one of the top college football programs in history.
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Here’s the list:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Has a USC quarterback ever started a Super Bowl? Sam Darnold aiming for history
