Mark Sanchez was putting his 17-month-old son to bed on Thursday night in Dana Point, California when he noticed his cell phone lighting up with text messages.
The Jets had just used the third overall pick to draft Sam Darnold, a fellow former USC quarterback, to do exactly what they hoped Sanchez would do for them when they drafted him with the fifth overall pick nine years ago.
“Obviously, this draft has some parallels,’’ Sanchez told The Post over the phone late Thursday night. “I was thrilled for Sam and his family. I’ve worked out with him a few times at USC and I know his family.