USC to NFL Minicamp Roundup: Sam Darnold, Rasheem Green make an impression

Sam Darnold and Rasheem Green made an impression during their respective NFL rookie minicamps, but what about USC’s undrafted free agent prospects?

This past weekend, NFL squads started up their post-draft process by holding rookie minicamps to get a look at their new players and evaluate undrafted prospects.

There were no USC players vying for attention during minicamps for the Browns, Packers, Ravens, Chiefs, Raiders, Vikings and 49ers, but the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks featured their share of Trojans.

Here’s how the new Projans did during their first weekend of NFL action:

Sam Darnold | New York Jets

Neither the first nor the second day of the Jets rookie minicamp started well for Sam Darnold.

The quarterback fumbled his first snap on Day 1, then followed that up by fumbling his first snap on Day 2.

Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reported Darnold’s handling woes, counting five fumbled snaps across the three-day minicamp.

Considering Darnold’s troublesome ball security in college, that’s a worry for the Jets. Still, some context is necessary. The center getting the ball to Darnold was a tryout prospect who played guard in college.

As they did at USC, the positives could certainly outweigh the negatives when it comes to Darnold.

Vacchiano went on to praise Darnold for walking, talking and throwing like an NFL quarterback.

Andy Vasquez of NorthJersey.com tracked Darnold’s second day going 5-of-6 with no interceptions, staying calm in the face of constant pressure.

Rasheem Green | Seattle Seahawks

Sporting his No. 94 jersey in new colors for the first time, Rasheem Green made a strong impression on head coach Pete Carroll in his debut.

“He’s really well coached,” Carroll said, via USA Today. “You can see that he’s got a real sense for rushing the passer. He seems like he’s an experienced kid for a 20-year old.”

The biggest news for Green is Carroll’s comment that he “doesn’t look like he’s got a million miles to go,” which flies in the face of scout takes before the draft that the defensive lineman might need a redshirt year as a rookie in the NFL.

Chris Hawkins | Seattle Seahawks

USC reported that Chris Hawkins had signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, but it appears more likely he signed on for a try out with the team. He wasn’t among the 15 UDFAs Seattle announced they’d signed before kicking off their rookie minicamp over the weekend.

Unfortunately, he also wasn’t one of the five tryout players the Seahawks signed following the minicamp. They did sign free safety Tevon Mutcherson from UCF.

Viane Talamaivao | Seattle Seahawks

Like Hawkins, Talamaivao was announced as a free agent signing for Seattle, but he was not one of the 15 officially signed. He too was not among the tryout players who seemed to make the cut, with former Auburn guard Avery Young, a 2016 UDFA, nabbing a contract.

More from Reign of Troy

• Markese Stepp enters transfer portal intending to leave USC football
• USC football’s Alijah Vera-Tucker declares for NFL Draft
• USC football adds Xavion Alford as transfer from Texas
• USC Podcast: RoT Radio Ep. 396 on the Football Season’s Fallout
• Talanoa Hufanga named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, USC football with five first-teamers

More rookie minicamps

When will the rest of USC’s rookies go through minicamp? The remainder of NFL rookie minicamps are scheduled for May 11-13:

• Deontay Burnett, Tennessee Titans
• Nico Falah, Tennessee Titans
• Josh Fatu, Detroit Lions
• Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Steven Mitchell, LA Rams
• Uchenna Nwosu, LA Chargers

Nwosu and Jones II will simply be looking to impress in their first taste of NFL action, but the rest have a tough task ahead of them. As undrafted free agents, Burnett, Falah, Fatu and Mitchell cannot afford to disappoint as they aim to sign on with their respective clubs.