The first great pass Sam Darnold ever threw was probably a misread. He hadn’t had much time to prepare. Darnold was a sophomore at San Clemente High, a starting receiver and linebacker. He was playing quarterback only because the starter got hurt.
His team trailed by seven against Tesoro. Darnold took a snap from the 34-yard line, took three steps, a hop, and lofted a throw straight into double coverage. The pass was perfect. It may have plopped atop the pylon had it not landed, like a raindrop, in the diving hands of his receiver.
Then Darnold went for the two-point conversion, won the game and returned a week later to receiver and linebacker for the rest of the season.