USC’s Darnold ‘best in the nation,’ says Stanford coach

Although blessed with the poise of a poker champion, Sam Darnold admits there was a moment when he let his emotions get the best of him.

After the San Clemente High basketball team blew an eight-point lead and lost an important game late in the season, the star junior punched a locker and broke a finger, forcing him to miss the rest of the season.

“I’ve definitely learned my lesson,” he said in a phone interview.

You’d have to say USC’s redshirt sophomore quarterback is a quick study. He has started just 11 college games, yet he is considered a potential No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL draft and a leading contender for the Heisman Trophy.