2018 NFL Draft: What the top QB prospects must prove at Scouting Combine

The USC Trojans have played home to a number of memorable quarterbacks. The latest star to emerge from the program is Sam Darnold, whom many believe has a genuine opportunity to go No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Darnold is a big quarterback who can make all of the throws from a pure ability perspective, but his throwing motion will be the talk of the town at the Scouting Combine.

Darnold has a tendency to extend his throwing motion beyond what it needs to be. That leaves him susceptible to strip sacks and batted passes, as it gives opposing defenses time to prepare instead of being forced to react to a quick release.

If Darnold shows up and displays an even slightly quicker release, that could be enough to prove that his work ethic and self-awareness are strengths.

It’s worth noting that Darnold worked to shorten his throwing motion between the 2016 and 2017 college football seasons. That’s an encouraging sign, but it doesn’t mean that the issue has been rectified or that he won’t encounter issues with his 2017 motion in the NFL.

Darnold has the tools to be a legitimate franchise player, but he must address the issue of his throwing motion in order to realize that potential.