In the weeks leading into the 2018 NFL Draft, former USC quarterback Sam Darnold is widely viewed as being one of the top prospects in this year's class. He has also been firmly placed in the discussion for the first overall pick that is currently held by the Cleveland Browns.

It has been a pre-draft long process that has his NFL future up in the air with no certainty at this point where he will be selected. With that in mind, Darnold voiced on Wednesday that he is just hoping to go to a team that wants him to possibly be their next franchise quarterback, according to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk.

“I think going back to Pop Warner, high school, college, everyone wants to be No. 1,” Darnold said at a pre-draft press conference outside AT&T Stadium on Wednesday. “There’s always that competitor in you, but if I’m not picked No. 1, it’s the right thing because they didn’t want me in the first place. That’s the cool thing about the draft.”

Darnold is widely regarded as being arguably the top quarterback in this year's draft behind his promising talent on the field with the ability to make just about every throw that will be required of him at the next level along with showing poise in the pocket. He has also demonstrated that he can lead a team to success behind his arm along with a strong level of maturity despite being only 20 years old.

Wherever he will land in this year's draft should provide him the chance to compete for the starting spot at some point early in his career. Darnold has much potential to translate his ability on the field to success at the next level to become a viable starting quarterback.

This entire draft process is out of is control from this point on, but Darnold will shortly find out on Thursday night where he will begin his NFL career.