How Sam Darnold became the flag bearer for USC with historic Super Bowl 2026 start: ‘Gives you goosebumps’

How Sam Darnold became the flag bearer for USC with historic Super Bowl 2026 start: ‘Gives you goosebumps’

January 31, 2026 / Liam Redmond /



Clay Helton was blown away when he saw the stat. He, perhaps more than most, understands the quarterback lineage at USC.

From Helton’s hiring as quarterbacks coach in 2010 until his firing as head coach early in the 2021 season, Matt Barkley, Cody Kessler and Sam Darnold all started for the Trojans. Mark Sanchez, Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer defined the era before that.

Twenty-six USC quarterbacks have been drafted. Two have gone No. 1 overall. Eight were top-10 picks.

But when Darnold takes the first offensive snap for the Seahawks next Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif., against the Patriots, he will become the first USC quarterback to start a Super Bowl. It took a winding journey for Darnold to get to this point — stalling as a Jets and Panthers castoff, resetting his career as a 49ers backup, ascending in Minnesota then truly taking off in Seattle.



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Liam Redmond

As an editor at Hollywood Fashion, I specialize in exploring business innovations and entrepreneurial success stories. My passion lies in delivering impactful content that resonates with readers and sparks meaningful conversations.

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