The 2018 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the more quarterback-heavy affairs in recent years. Headling the list of notable prospects is USC's Sam Darnold.

Darnold has been touted as a consensus No. 1 pick ever since his spectacular performance in the 2016 Rose Bowl against Penn State. However, head coach Clay Helton said during an appearance on PFT Live that he still has plenty of more room to grow:

“I think for him, and what’s the beauty about him, I think his ceiling is so high. I don’t think he’s anywhere near a finished product. He has literally only five semesters at USC. One of the things that I thought he really improved on from day one ’til now is his recognition of defenses, whether it was front, coverages, having to read [the middle linebacker], diagnosing coverages to see where the one-on-one matchup [is], and letting the ball go. I don’t think he has a frailty in anything. I just think the more he gets reps, the more he develops, especially with the looks that are given in the NFL, I think he’s gonna be a prize. I really do. I look forward to continuing to watch his development, his knowledge of the game. The one thing the kid does do I’ll give him credit he lets the ball go with no hesitation. That’s a sign of the great quarterbacks is being that anticipatory thrower and that’s what he is.” 

Darnold had been one of the most exciting players in college football over the last two years. Despite his disappointing 2017 campaign, there is still little doubt regarding his status as the best quarterback prospect in his class. However, there is still plenty of truth to Helton's comments.

Not only is he perhaps the most talented player at his position, but he is also the youngest among the top prospects at just 20 years old. That said, he is still relatively green compared to the other more-seasoned signal callers. Darnold served as a backup for three games before making his start as a redshirt freshman. Needless to say, it was not long before the hype machine was up and running.

Darnold certainly does not lack confidence given his decision to enter the draft anyway. He recently took some flak for not throwing at the combine. However, it does not seem to have hurt his draft stock in the slightest. While it is a bit unconventional for a quarterback that is far from a finished product to still be pegged as a No. 1 overall pick, it actually bodes well for Darnold's future prospects. His projection thus far has been based purely on the talent he has displayed during his short time under center at USC.