Back to the USC Trojans Newsfeed

Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold prepares for life on — and off — the field

Sam Darnold is on the move again, following a public relations representative across the conference room at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey. Kelsey Rhoney has been assigned to help Darnold navigate his paid media appearance at last week’s Gatorade athlete of the year dinner. It’s an easy assignment because Darnold is pretty much down for anything.

Next up is a sit-down with an eager interviewer who wants to play a rapid-fire game with him.

“Would you rather be stuck on an island alone or be stuck with someone who never stopped talking?”

One could translate Darnold’s on-the-spot decisions to mean he is still the shy guy from San Clemente, despite his surprising, whirlwind two-year tour as USC’s quarterback and his ascension to the No.