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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REQUIRED READING: NFL world praises Sam Darnold’s ‘comeback story’
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:
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl I (Packers 35, Chiefs 10): Green Bay Packers running back Jim Taylor (31) follows the blocks of Jerry Kramer (64), Marv Fleming (81) and Forrest Gregg (75) against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl I (Packers 35, Chiefs 10): Green Bay Packers running back Jim Taylor (31) follows the blocks of Jerry Kramer (64), Marv Fleming (81) and Forrest Gregg (75) against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl II (Packers 33, Raiders 14): Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (15) drops back to pass against the Oakland Raiders at the Orange Bowl.
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Super Bowl III (Jets 16, Colts 7): New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath (12) looks to throw as Baltimore Colts linebacker Dennis Gaubatz (53) applies pressure during Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl IV (Chiefs 23, Vikings 7): Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Buck Buchanan (86) tackles Minnesota Vikings running back Dave Osborn (41) during Super Bowl VI at Tulane Stadium.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl V (Colts 16, Cowboys 13): Baltimore Colts running back Norm Bulaich (36) eludes Dallas Cowboys linebacker Lee Roy Jordan (55) during Super Bowl V at the Orange Bowl.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl VI (Cowboys 24, Dolphins 3): Dallas Cowboys running back Duane Thomas (33) carries the football against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI at Tulane Stadium.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl VII (Dolphins 14, Washington 7): Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Manny Fernandez (75) tackles Washington running back Larry Brown (43) in Super Bowl VII at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Dolphins completed a 17-0 undefeated season with the win.
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Super Bowl VIII (Dolphins 24, Vikings 7): Miami Dolphins running back Larry Csonka (39) scores on a 5-yard touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings during Super Bowl VIII at Rice Stadium.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl IX (Steelers 16, Vikings 6): Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Dwight White (78) and linebacker Jack Lambert (58) stop Minnesota Vikings running back Dave Osborn (41) during Super Bowl IX at Tulane Stadium.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl X (Steelers 21, Cowboys 17): Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) run against the Dallas Cowboys during Super Bowl X at the Orange Bowl.
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Super Bowl XI (Raiders 32, Vikings 14): Oakland Raiders running back Clarence Davis (28) carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI at the Rose Bowl. Davis rushed for 137 yards in Oakland’s win.
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Super Bowl XII (Cowboys 27, Broncos 10): Dallas Cowboys defensive end Ed “Too Tall” Jones (72) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton (7) during Super Bowl XII at the Superdome.
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Super Bowl XIII (Steelers 35, Cowboys 31): Dallas Cowboys tight end Jackie Smith (81) reacts to dropping a potential touchdown pass in the end zone during Super Bowl XIII against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Super Bowl XIV (Steelers 31, Rams 19): Pittsburgh Steelers receiver John Stallworth (82) catches a 73-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at the Rose Bowl.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl XV (Raiders 27, Eagles 10): Oakland Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) looks to throw against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl XV at the Superdome.
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Super Bowl XVI (49ers 26, Bengals 21): San Francisco 49ers defensive back Ronnie Lott (42) celebrates a goal line stand against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XVI at the Silverdome.
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Super Bowl XVII (Washington 27, Dolphins 17): Washington running back John Riggins (44) breaks loose from Miami Dolphins defensive back Don McNeal (28) on a 43-yard touchdown run during Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl.
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Super Bowl XVIII (Raiders 38, Washington 9): Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) carries the ball against Washington safety Mark Murphy (29) during Super Bowl XVIII at Tampa Stadium.
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Super Bowl XIX (49ers 38, Dolphins 16): San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig carries the ball past Miami Dolphins linebacker Jay Brophy (53) in Super Bowl XIX at Stanford Stadium.
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Super Bowl XX (Bears 46, Patriots 10): Chicago Bears linebacker Otis Wilson (55) hits New England Patriots quarterback Tony Eason (11) during Super Bowl XX at the Superdome.
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Super Bowl XXI (Giants 39, Broncos 20): New York Giants running back Joe Morris (20) carries the ball against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXI at the Rose Bowl.
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Super Bowl XXII (Washington 42, Broncos 10): Washington quarterback Doug Williams (17) looks to throw against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium.
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Super Bowl XXIII (49ers 20, Bengals 16): Over 11 plays, the San Francisco 49ers drove 92 yards to secure a narrow victory. Pictured above is wide receiver and game MVP Jerry Rice.
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Super Bowl XXIV (49ers 55, Broncos 10) : San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig (33) celebrates with teammates against the Denver Broncos at the Superdome. The 55 points scored by the 49ers remains a Super Bowl record.
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Super Bowl XXV (Giants 20, Bills 19): New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) carries the ball against the Buffalo in Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium.
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Super Bowl XXVI (Washington 37, Bills 24): Washington cornerback Alvoid Mays (20) hits Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly (12), causing him to fumble during Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome.
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Super Bowl XXVII (Cowboys 52, Bills 17): Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin (88) celebrates in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXVII at the Rose Bowl.
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Super Bowl XXVIII (Cowboys 30, Bills 13): Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXVIII at the Georgia Dome.
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Super Bowl XXIX (49ers 49, Chargers 26): San Francisco 49ers running back Ricky Watters (32) carries the ball against San Diego Chargers safety Stanley Richard (24) during Super Bowl XXIX at Joe Robbie Stadium.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl XXX (Cowboys 27, Steelers 17): Dallas Cowboys cornerback Larry Brown (24) runs with the ball after an interception at Sun Devil Stadium. Brown had two interceptions and was named game MVP as the Cowboys won their third Super Bowl in four seasons.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl XXXI (Packers 35, Patriots 21): Green Bay Packers return specialist Desmond Howard eludes the grasp of the New England Patriots on his way to a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown during the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome.
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Super Bowl XXXII (Broncos 31, Packers 24): Terrell Davis of the Denver Broncos in action during Super Bowl XXXII at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Davis scored three TDs and was named MVP.
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Super Bowl XXXIII (Broncos 34, Falcons 19): Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) attempts to avoid Atlanta Falcons linebacker Cornelius Bennett at Dolphin Stadium.
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Super Bowl XXXIV (Rams 23, Titans 16): Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson tries to stretch across the goal line on the final play of the game. He is stopped by Rams linebacker Mike Jones.
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Super Bowl XXXV (Ravens 34, Giants 7): Baltimore Ravens defensive end Rob Bunett (90) celebrates after sacking New York Giants quarterback Kerry Collins (5) at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Ravens registered four sacks and four interceptions in the dominant defensive performance.
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Super Bowl XXXVI (Patriots 20, Rams 17): New England Patriots players Rod Rutledge (83), Ken Walter (13) and Adam Vinatieri (4) celebrate Vinatieri’s game-winning field goal against the St. Louis Rams to win Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome.
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Super Bowl XXXVII (Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21): Tampa Bay’s Dwight Smith races into the end zone ahead of pursuing Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon on a 44-yard interception runback for a touchdown.
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Super Bowl XXXVIII (Patriots 32, Panthers 29): Game MVP Tom Brady throws a pass as he is pressured by Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (90) at Reliant Stadium.
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Super Bowl XXXIX (Patriots 24, Eagles 21): Wide receiver Deion Branch catches a pass in front of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Sheldon Brown (24)during the second quarter at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. Branch had 11 catches for 133 yards and was named the game’s MVP.
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Super Bowl XL (Steelers 21, Seahawks 10): Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward jumps in the air and scores after catching a 43-yard touchdown pass from fellow wideout Antwaan Randle El.
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Super Bowl XLI (Indianapolis Colts 29, Bears 17): Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders (21) intercepts a ball intended for Chicago Bears receiver Bernard Berrian (80) during the second half at Dolphins Stadium.
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Super Bowl XLII (Giants 17, Patriots 14): New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree hauls in a catch against his helmet to sustain the game-winning drive.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl XLIII (Steelers 27, Cardinals 23): Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes catches the winning touchdown pass in front of Arizona Cardinals safety Aaron Francisco late in the fourth quarter.
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Super Bowl XLIV (Saints 31, Colts 17): New Orleans Saints cornerback Tracy Porter (22) celebrates as he returns an interception for a touchdown as Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning looks on from the ground during the fourth quarter at Sun Life Stadium.
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Super Bowl XLV (Packers 31, Steelers 25): Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) fumbles after being hit by Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) during the second half of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium.
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Super Bowl XLVI (Giants 21, Patriots 17): New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham (82) makes a catch along the sideline in front of New England Patriots free safety Sterling Moore (29) and free safety Patrick Chung (25) during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl XLVII (Ravens 34, 49ers 31): Baltimore Ravens return specialist Jacoby Jones (12) returns a kickoff for a Super Bowl record 108 yards against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
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Super Bowl XLVIII (Seahawks 43, Broncos 8): Seattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium.
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Super Bowl XLIX (Patriots 28, Seahawks 24): Patriots CB Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass intended for Seahawks WR Ricardo Lockette at the goal line to secure New England’s fourth title in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter.
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Super Bowl 50 (Broncos 24, Panthers 10): Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) forces a fumble as he hits Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium.
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Super Bowl 51 (Patriots 34, Falcons 28 – OT): New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman hauls in a catch off a deflected pass that would help New England mount the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. The game also featured the first ever overtime in a Super Bowl.
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Super Bowl 52 (Eagles 41, Patriots 33): Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) catches a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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Super Bowl 53 (Patriots 13, Rams 3): Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore makes a pivotal interception in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With the win, the Patriots tied the Steelers for most Super Bowl victories (six).
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl 55 (Buccaneers 31, Chiefs 9): Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski spikes the football after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
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Super Bowl 56 (Rams 23, Bengals 20): Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp catches the game-winning touchdown pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple defends at SoFi Stadium.
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Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday
Super Bowl 57 (Chiefs 38, Eagles 35): The Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney (19) is tackled by the Philadelphia Eagles’ Nakobe Dean (17) and Arryn Siposs (8) after a Super Bowl-record 65-yard punt return at State Farm Stadium.
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Super Bowl 58 (Chiefs 25, 49ers 22, OT): Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) celebrates with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers.
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Super Bowl 59 (Eagles 40, Chiefs 22): Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a touchdown catch against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.
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