Reign of Troy
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5 Biggest NFL Draft busts since 2000 in USC football history

A lot of talent has come out of USC'f football program, however, no program is safe from having a few draft busts.

By Ericka Brockish

Dec 27, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws the ball against the Cleveland Browns.
Dec 27, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws the ball against the Cleveland Browns. / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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While USC football is known for the talent it produces for the NFL and even into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, not every player who had a great career with the Trojans went on to do well in the pros. Some players were hit with first-round curses that seem to always hit at some point, while others just ended up not having what it took to make it in the NFL.

With the amount of success USC players have had in the NFL, you would think that there wouldn't be a lot of busts, but with how much pressure can be on these guys to succeed and hold up a historic program. Not every player is going to come out of a program and have as much success as Marcus Allen, Ron Yary, or Clay Matthews.

So, who were the biggest NFL draft busts in USC football history? Lucky for you, I have the list right here.

. Sam Darnold. 2018 NFL Draft. Sam Darnold. 5. . Round 1, Pick 3. player. USC draft busts. 30

Some people may not think Sam Darnold is a huge bust, he just wasn't given the best chance with his first two teams. Darnold was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2018 draft by the New York Jets and was seen as the quarterback of the future for the struggling franchise.

However, Darnold only led the team to one winning season but never made it to the playoffs. He dealt with injuries that plagued seasons, but his numbers while on paper might look good, were not up to the standards of a winning quarterback and when you don't win games, you don't get to be the starter anymore.

After three seasons in New York, Darnold has a record of 13-25 leading the Jets to trade him to the Carolina Panthers for several picks. While this seemed like a fresh start for the young quarterback, it ended up being quite the opposite.

Darnold started 3-0 with the Panthers and looked to be a different player, but he went on to go 1-7 in his next eight games and was benched in the stadium he started his career against the Giants. After being benched, Darnold ended up becoming a backup in his second season with the Panthers before heading across the country to be the backup for Brock Purdy and the Niners.

Being a solid backup quarterback is nothing to be ashamed of, but when you were a number three overall pick, becoming a backup four years into your career can make you a bust.

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