Sam Darnold selected third overall by the Jets in 2018 NFL Draft

Former USC quarterback Sam Darnold has been selected with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets on Thursday night.

Darnold now joins a team where he has a chance to start right away if the coaching staff feels he is ready to give it a go despite the presence of veterans Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater on the roster. Although he didn't go in either the first two spots in the draft, it is a still a prime opportunity to become the franchise quarterback in New York.

Throughout much of the pre-draft process, Darnold has been widely viewed as the best, most promising talent at his position and possibly the safest selection at his spot. In his two seasons on the field at the collegiate level, he developed into one of the nation's top quarterbacks behind his steady play under center where he showed off a strong, accurate arm that helped him make all the throws that will be necessary at the next level. Darnold has also displayed poise in the pocket along with a high level of maturity at his age.

However, there have been questions concerning his ball security and decision making, as he forced the issue with his throws that led to unnecessary turnovers. In 27 starts, Darnold had his fair share of struggles in that regard, throwing 22 interceptions and committing 21 fumbles. There has been chatter about altering his release that is currently more of a wind up that takes a bit longer than teams would like.

The 20-year-old is the only quarterback in USC history to put together back-to-back five passing touchdown games and his nine straight games with multiple TD passes were the most since Matt Leinart's 15 in 2003-04. In his redshirt freshman campaign, he finished first nationally in passing efficiency (161.1), completion percentage (.672), TD passes (31), and yards per attempt (8.4) among freshman quarterbacks. His 31 touchdown passes in the 2016 season are a USC freshman record.

He had also earned a First-Team All-Pac-12 selection, the Archie Griffin Award, and Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. Darnold finished seventh in school history with 7,229 passing yards, sixth with 57 touchdown passes, and seventh with 549 completions and 846 passes attempted.