Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen - two of college football's top QB prospects - are among the underclassmen that have declared for the 2018 Draft:
Less than an hour apart, two of the nation's top quarterbacks from rival schools in Los Angeles declared for the 2018 NFL Draft on Wednesday night.
USC's Sam Darnold and UCLA's Josh Rosen, who combined for more than 16,000 yards and 116 touchdown passes in their careers, have both played their final games in college.
They are expected go near the top of the upcoming draft, where the New York Giants hold the second overall pick.
"After talking to my immediate family, very close friends, and many people who have helped me throughout my life, I have made the decision to declare for the 2018 NFL Draft," Darnold said in a video statement.
"I have been blessed that my life has been full of memorable moments and wonderful people. The people who have been involved in making me the man I am today have prepared me for the life and decisions that I have to make in the future."
Shortly before, Rosen, who also played high school football less than an hour from Darnold in Southern California, posted the following message.
Darnold recently became the first Trojans quarterback ever with more than 4,000 yards passing in a season, finishing 20-4 as a starter during his time at USC. He also led the school to its first conference title in nine years.
Along the way, Darnold and the Trojans defeated Rosen and Bruins in the second-to-last game of the regular season. Dozens of NFL scouts and executives filled the Coliseum to see the passers compete, which only scratched the surface of the evaluation process that will include combine testing, interviews, pro days, and a lot more leading up the first night of the draft on April 26.
With their announcements, Darnold and Rosen officially join a quarterback class that has been heralded for well over a year now. That is because of names like Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner who has accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl, which will be played at the end of the month in Mobile, Alabama. Mayfield became the seventh quarterback to confirm his attendance, along with Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State), Luke Falk (Washington State), Kurt Benkert (Virginia), Mike White (Western Kentucky), Kyle Lauletta (Richmond) and Brandon Silvers (Troy). Another Heisman Trophy winner, Louisville's Lamar Jackson, also declared for the draft on Friday.
Meanwhile, underclassmen Josh Allen of Wyoming also declared for the draft following his team's victory over Central Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to file declaration papers with the league.
The official list of underclassmen accepted by the NFL will be released to NFL teams on Jan. 19. Here is a look at the names so far, according to NFL.com:
• Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, DE, Toledo
• Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
• Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
• Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
• Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
• Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
• Simmie Cobbs, WR, Indiana
• Keke Coutee, WR, Texas Tech
• Sam Darnold, QB, USC
• Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn
• Michael Dickson, P, Texas
• DeShon Elliott, S, Texas
• Nick Gates, OT, Nebraska
• Rashaan Gaulden, DB, Tennessee
• Frank Ginda, LB, San Jose State
• Taylor Hearn, OG, Clemson
• Quadree Henderson, WR, Pittsburgh
• Holton Hill, CB, Texas
• Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
• Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
• Ryan Izzo, TE, Florida State
• J.C. Jackson, CB, Maryland
• Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
• Derwin James, S, Florida State
• Richie James, WR, Middle Tennessee State
• Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
• Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn
• John Kelly, RB, Tennessee
• Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
• Tanner Lee, QB, Nebraska
• Hercules Mata'afa, DT, Washington State
• Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
• D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
• Ryan Nall, RB, Oregon State
• Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin
• Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
• Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
• Brian O'Neill, OT, Pittsburgh
• Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn
• Eddy Pineiro, K, Florida
• Byron Pringle, WR, Kansas State
• Trey Quinn, WR, SMU
• D.J. Reed, CB, Kansas State
• Korey Robertson, WR, Southern Mississippi
• Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
• Dalton Schultz, TE, Stanford
• Andre Smith, LB, North Carolina
• Breeland Speaks, DE, Ole Miss
• Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
• Maea Teuhema, OG, Southeastern Louisiana
• Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
• Vita Vea, DT, Washington
• Mark Walton, RB, Miami
• Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
• Jordan Whitehead, S, Pittsburgh
• JoJo Wicker, DL, Arizona State
• Connor Williams, OT, Texas
