Super Bowl LX quarterback Sam Darnold was unrecognizable as fresh-faced high school prospect

Feb 5, 2026 - 10:15

Sam Darnold entered the NFL in a 2018 quarterback class stacked with talent.

That year’s draft was headlined by first overall pick Baker Mayfield, and also boasted Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, two signal-callers who have gone on to earn MVP honors.

Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with the George Halas Trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in the NFC Championship game — Darnold is one of the NFL’s most recognizable stars thanks to a Super Bowl run

But Darnold, the No. 3 pick who is already somewhat of a journeyman quarterback, has achieved something that all three of those names will be envious of in 2025.

He has become the first signal-caller in his NFL draft class to make the Super Bowl, and will lead the Seattle Seahawks into battle against the New England Patriots on February 8.

Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract when he arrived in Seattle last March, having exploded into life with the Minnesota Vikings during the 2024 season.

Before that, he had rocky spells with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.

With a 14-3 record in back-to-back years with two different teams, and more than 4,000 regular-season yards for both the Vikings and Seahawks too, Darnold is finally showing exactly why he was worthy of being a top three pick eight years ago.

Thanks to that success, and a postseason run that will culminate in Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX, he is now one of the most recognizable faces in the NFL.

While Darnold’s impressive quarterback play ensures he commands attention on the field, his dark ginger hair and bright red beard help him stand out on the sideline too.

But before he entered the league, Darnold was a fresh-faced teen who sported the buzz cut.

Sam Darnold unrecognizable as high school prospect

Ahead of the Super Bowl, Darnold’s near-decade old look has resurfaced.

Coming out of California’s San Clemente high school, the four-star QB recruit was often pictured with short-shaved ginger hair.

San Clemente High's Sam Darnold, 17, photographed May 29, 2015. — A young Darnold sported short hair coming out of high school

San Clemente High School basketball players Cole Fothringham, Nick Crankshaw, Elijah Morris, Cade Griffin and Sam Darnold — Darnold, who stood at 6ft 5in, also played high school basketball in California

Given he stood at 6ft 5in as a 17-year-old, that buzz cut no doubt helped intimate his opponents on the football field.

Where did Sam Darnold play in college?

Darnold went on to commit to USC, and starred with the Trojans during his college career.

It was there he let his hair grow out a little, and short stubble also started to appear on his face.

Across two seasons with USC, Darnold put up some insane numbers.

He went 20-4 as the starter, and threw for a ridiculous 7,229 yards and 57 touchdowns.

During the 2016 season, Darnold had one of the highest total quarterback ratings in college football.

Sam Darnold #14 and Adoree' Jackson #2 of the USC Trojans celebrate a 21-17 win over the Colorado Buffaloes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 8, 2016 — Darnold let his ginger hair grow out at USC

Sam Darnold (QB) looks up at the video screen during an NCAA football game between the California Golden Bears and the USC Trojans on October 27, 2016 — He was one of the best college quarterbacks in the country a decade ago

He also put in a record-setting performance in the Trojans’ memorable 52-49 Rose Bowl win over Penn State in 2017.

It’s no surprise, then, that he was one of the hottest prospects of the 2018 draft.

On draft night, he rocked up with a clean-shaved face and baseball cap, before being selected by the Jets.

In New York, Darnold first let his ginger beard grow out, and he hasn’t really looked back since, sporting facial hair during his time with the Panthers, Niners, Vikings and Seahawks.

USC quarterback Sam Darnold is selected third overall by the New York Jets during the NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday, April 26, 2018. — A fresh-faced Darnold was drafted at No. 3 by the Jets in 2018

NFL Comissioner Roger Goodell poses for photos with Sam Darnold and jersey as the third overall pick by the New York Jets during the first round at the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Statium on April 26, 2018 — Darnold’s time with the Jets was rocky, but he has since found success

As well as being the first QB of his draft class to make the Super Bowl, the 28-year-old will also be USC’s first product to start under center in the big game.

If he guides Seattle to victory on February 8, his familiar ginger hair might just go global.

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