Who Is Sam Darnold?
Sam Darnold (born Samuel Richard Darnold) is a well-known American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL (National Football League). In addition to playing in the NFL, he played college football at the University of Southern California where he became the first freshman to win the Archie Griffin Award. He was selected by the New York Jets third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
At the age of 21, he was the youngest opening-day starting quarterback since the AFL-NFL merger. From 2018 to 2020, he served as the Jets’ starter but due to inconsistent play and injuries, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021. Following two seasons with the Panthers, he joined the 49ers.
How Old Is Sam Darnold?
Darnold is 26 years old as of September 2023, having been born on June 5, 1997, in Dana Point, California, U.S.A. Sam Darnold shares his birthdate with celebrities such as; Ashlynn Malia, Vlad Munteanu, Shadow, Harry Michael, and many more.
Sam Darnold Family
Who are Sam Darnold’s Parents?
Sam was born to Michael Darnold (Father) and Chris Darnold (Mother). His mother is a physical education teacher at Shorecliffs Middle School.
Does Sam Darnold have Siblings?
Darnold has an elder sister by the name of Franki Darnold. His sister played college volleyball at the University of Rhode Island.
Sam Darnold Education
Darnold received his high school education at San Clemente High School. After high school, he attended The University of Southern California.
Sam Darnold Wife
On his love life matters, Sam Darnold is seen as a person who hates drama and loves his privacy. Sam has managed to keep his marriage/dating life low-key and leave many with a lot of unanswered questions. In case there is any news regarding this matter, we shall update it here as soon as possible.
Sam Darnold Kids
It is not known if Darnold has any kids. In case there is news regarding this matter, we shall update it here as soon as possible.
Sam Darnold Height – Measurements
Adding to his well-built body is a height of 6 feet 3 inches (1.91m) and a weight of 102kg (225 lbs).
Sam Darnold Career
Sam Darnold High School
In his freshman year at San Clemente High School, he played baseball, football, and basketball. During his high school basketball career, he excelled and was named South Coast League Most Valuable Player twice, along with being named to the all-CIF team. On the football team, he played wide receiver and linebacker. As a sophomore, he played quarterback after the starting quarterback was injured in a game against Tesoro High School. Much of his junior, he missed due to an injury. In his senior year, San Clemente reached the CIF-Southern Section Southwest Division championship game, where they lost 37-44 to Trabuco Hills High School.
Sam Darnold College Career
Sam Darnold 2015 Season
In the 2015 season, he redshirted for his freshman year as he was behind Cody Kessler and Max Browne on the depth chart.
Sam Darnold 2016 Season
Entering the 2016 season as a redshirt freshman, he was the second-string quarterback behind Max Browne. In his first career start with USC, he completed 18-of-26 passes for 253 yards and recorded a touchdown as USC lost 27-31 to the Utah Utes. After this loss, his Trojans did not lose a game for the remainder of the season, including a 26-13 upset win over the #4 ranked Washington Huskies. It was announced on January 4, 2017, that he was awarded the Archie Griffin Award, which was awarded annually to college football’s most valuable player to his team throughout the season.
Sam Darnold 2017 Season
Entering the 2017 season as a redshirt sophomore he became an early favorite for the Heisman Trophy. However, the season did not start well for him as he expected. In six games, he had matched the number of interceptions that he had thrown the previous year.
Sam Darnold Professional Career
Sam Darnold New York Jets
He was selected in the first round, with the third overall of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He then signed a four-year deal worth $30.25 million fully guaranteed featuring a $20 million signing bonus with the Jets on July 30, 2018.
Sam Darnold 2018 season
On August 10, he made his professional debut in the first preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. In the game, he finished with 96 passing yards and a touchdown as the Jets won 17-0. The Jets then named Sam the starter for week 1 of the season on August 29. On September 10, 2018, he played his first regular season game during Monday Night Football against the Detroit Lions. This made him the youngest opening-day starting quarterback since the AFL-NFL merger.
In Week 2 during the Jets’ home opener against the Miami Dolphins, he finished with 334 passing yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions as the Jets lost 20-12. During a rematch against the Dolphins in week 9, he threw four interceptions, finishing the game with 229 passing yards in a 13-6 Jets loss. He then suffered a foot injury which sidelined him and caused Josh McCown to start for the Jets. Overall, he finished the 2018 season with 2,865 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
Sam Darnold 2019 season
In week 1, during the Jets’ home opener against the Buffalo Bills, he finished with 179 passing yards and a touchdown. It was reported on September 12, that he was diagnosed with mononucleosis and he subsequently missed three games. He returned in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys where he finished with 338 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception as the Jets won 24-22. In week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he finished with 218 passing yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions as the Jets lost 29-15. The following week against the Miami Dolphins, he finished with 260 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception as the Jets lost 26-18. In week 14 during a rematch with the Dolphins, he finished the 2019 season with 3,024 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, and had 33 carries for 62 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Sam Darnold 2020 season
In week 1 during the season opener against the Buffalo Bills, he finished with 215 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception as the Jets lost 27-17. During the Jets’ home opener against the San Francisco 49ers, he finished with 179 passing yards and a touchdown as the Jets lost 31-13. After a game in week 4 against the Denver Broncos, Sam sustained a shoulder injury after a sack. After missing two games due to shoulder soreness, he returned in week 7 against the Bills, finishing with 120 passing yards and two interceptions as the Jets lost 18-10.
He reaggravated his shoulder injury in week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, thus he missed the Jets’ two games. He made his return in a game against the Miami Dolphins in week 12. Sam finished the season with 2,208 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions to go along with 217 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in 12 games as the Jets finished 2-14.
Sam Darnold Carolina Panthers
Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers on April 5, 2021, in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round pick and second fourth-round picks in 2022. On April 30, 2021, the team exercised the fifth-year option on Sam’s contract, worth a guaranteed $18.858 million for the 2022 season.
Sam Darnold 2021 season
On September 12, 2021, he made his first start for the Panthers, facing his former team, the New York Jets. During the game, he threw for 279 passing yards and a touchdown as well as adding a five-yard rushing touchdown, as they won 19-14. He suffered a fractured scapula during the Panther’s 6-24 loss against the New England Patriots. The shoulder injury made him miss four to six weeks. He was activated on December 25 and went on to replace a struggling Cam Newton in the second quarter of a week 16 game against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished the 2021 season with 2,527 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, and 13 interceptions to go along with 48 carries for 222 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Sam Darnold 2022 season
He was named the backup for the 2022 season after losing a preseason competition for new acquisition and 2018 draftmate Baker Mayfield. During the third preseason game against the Bills, he left the game with an ankle injury. He was thus placed in the injured reserve on September 1, 2022. He was activated back to the roster by the Panthers on November 7.
Sam Darnold San Francisco 49ers
On March 16, 2023, he signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. On August 23, 2023, he was named the backup quarterback over Trey Lance, the team’s third-overall selection from 2021, who was subsequently traded to the Dallas Cowboys the next day for a 4th-round pick.
Sam Darnold Salary
Darnold earns an annual basic salary of $1.9 million working as a football quarterback.
Sam Darnold Net Worth
Sam boasts an estimated net worth of $30 million. He has accumulated his wealth through his career as an American Football Quarterback.
