USC in the NFL: Pete Carroll is interested in former Trojan Sam Darnold

Pete Carroll could be looking to bring Sam Darnold to the Seattle Seahawks, which is a dream scenario for USC football fans.

Quick! Name two of the best things to come out of USC football this century.

If you picked Pete Carroll and Sam Darnold, we're on the same page.

Carroll brought national titles to the Trojans. Darnold brought a Pac-12 Championship. Both made USC football fun to watch. Now, the two could find their way together in the NFL.

According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, Carroll is closely eyeing Darnold as a potential replacement for Russell Wilson.

"Keep an eye on Seattle for Darnold," a source told Leonard.

USC greats Pete Carroll and Sam Darnold together in Seattle? Yes please

This is the best rumor to come out of the NFL since Darnold turned up on the trade radar. There are some great places for Darnold to land, but none as juicy as a partnership with Carroll.

If Wilson truly wants out of Seattle, Darnold could be the ideal replacement. He's a mobile quarterback who could finally thrive with upgraded weapons like DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

Just being in a more stable franchise like the Seahawks could pull the young quarterback from his Jets-induced struggles. Seattle has a new offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, who spent the last four years learning from Sean McVay. It would be a breath of fresh air for Darnold, who has toiled in an Adam Gase offense for two seasons.

Carroll and company don't have a first-round pick this year to spend on a new quarterback. Backup Geno Smith isn't the answer. Now that Ryan Fitzpatrick is heading to Washington, there aren't free-agent quarterback options out there who really move the needle.

CHECK OUT: Why isn't Pete Carroll eligible for the CFB Hall of Fame?

Instead of getting a veteran stop-gap, picking up Darnold would give the Seahawks someone to build around now and for the future.

It's a rumor for now, but it's one to hope becomes a reality.