Football

Sam Darnold to Be First Orange County Native to Start in a Super Bowl

by
jpwestmedia
January 26, 2026

Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks attempts a pass during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

by Isabella Lyons

Sam Darnold is now set to become the first quarterback from Orange County to start in a Super Bowl after the Seattle Seahawks’ dramatic 31-27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday’s NFC Championship showdown.

A true hometown hero from San Clemente High School (class of 2015), Darnold starred there from 2011-2015. He was named Orange County Offensive Player of the Year by the OC Register for the 2014-2015 season and earned All-CIF Southwest Division Offensive MVP honors. In his senior campaign, he torched opponents for 2,985 passing yards and a whopping 39 touchdowns before taking his talents up the road to the University of Southern California.

At USC under coach Clay Helton from 2016-2018, Darnold made an immediate impact as a redshirt freshman, winning the Archie Griffin Award as college football’s most valuable player after the bowl season—the first freshman ever to claim it and just the second Trojan to do so, following Matt Leinart. Over his USC career, he piled up 7,229 passing yards and 57 touchdowns.

Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Utah Utes during an NCAA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Darnold declared for the 2018 NFL Draft and went third overall to the New York Jets, spending three seasons there. Later stops included the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers before he signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. In Minnesota, Darnold staged an incredible career revival—brought in as a backup to rookie J.J. McCarthy, he took over as starter and delivered a breakout year with over 4,300 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, Pro Bowl recognition, and a key role in pushing the Vikings deep into the playoffs.

Now in his first season with the Seattle Seahawks (2025), Darnold has elevated even further, guiding the team to a stellar 14-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. He’s thrown for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns this season, proving once and for all that he’s one of the league’s top guns.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold warms up before the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Darnold will join other proud Orange County natives like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Trent McDuffie, and Nikko Remigio who’ve played in a Super Bowl—but as the first OC quarterback to start under center in the big game, he’s etching his name into local football history in a truly special way.

On Sunday, February 8th, Darnold and the Seahawks will take on the AFC Champions, the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium for the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LX.