SAM THE MANN!
Darnold’s former teammate says QB can be next Eli
Before Chad Wheeler (inset) was a rookie starting on the Giants offensive line, he was protecting Sam Darnold at USC. Wheeler tells The Post that Darnold, projected to go near the top of the draft, has the perfect temperament and talent to succeed Eli Manning.
ACALIFORNIA quarterback coming cross-country to become the new face of the franchise — can you see it? Chad Wheeler sure can, and the thought of his USC buddy Sam Darnold wearing Giants blue brought a big smile to the face of the rookie offensive lineman.
“I can’t foresee the future, but if he’s blessed enough to get picked by the New York Giants, I’ll be like ecstatic,’’ Wheeler told The Post. “It would be awesome. He has great mentors here, great coaches. It’s great to get as many Trojans as possible.’’
Well, as far as mentors and coaches, we need to hit pause on that one. The current Giants coaching staff will not be in place in 2018 and, if Darnold does indeed come aboard, the likelihood Eli Manning is there to join him on the journey is remote, at best.
There is nothing far-fetched about envisioning Darnold with the Giants, though. A 2-12 record does not amount to much, but after wading through the interminable losing, a pot of gold awaits at the end of this rainbow. If the Giants hold on and secure the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft, it will be their highest selection in 37 years. In 1981, sitting with the second pick, they took Lawrence Taylor, linebacker, North Carolina, and all that did was change the course of team history.
The quarterback hierarchy this draft starts with Josh Rosen of UCLA and Darnold, in that order in the eyes of most evaluators. The Browns will undoubtedly take one of them. The Giants could have the other, as long as Darnold actually enters the draft after his redshirt sophomore season.
“This is another level, but SC is [in] a pretty big media [market], you’re in the spotlight there as well, so I think the transition for him would be pretty easy,’’ Wheeler said. “He’ll have to adjust to it, especially what he does outside, everyone’s safe here, but like off the facility grounds, that’s where players get in trouble. I believe he could handle that great. He’s a good dude.’’
Wheeler was a senior starter at left tackle in 2016, protecting Darnold, a red-shirt freshman.
“He’s a quiet guy, humble,’’ Wheeler said. “He’ll get you right, but he’s just ready to get the job done. Nothing shocks him, it looks like he’s seen everything. That’s always good when a quarterback has poise like that. It’s like we give him strength, he gives us strength so we feed off each other’s game.’’
Asked if the young Darnold carried himself like a star, Wheeler laughed.
“Yeah he did,’’ he said. “He always had his hair done … only kidding. He always had a slick cut, looked like Slick Rick. He looked like a leader.’’
Wheeler first laid eyes on Darnold when the quarterback was a true freshman, operating on the scout team in practice, running like a dervish, firing the ball to Daniel Imatorbhebhe, doing a number on the USC defense.
“Doing the same exact throws, scrambling like that, we knew he was gonna be a baller,’’ Wheeler said.
Darnold lost his first college start at Utah and then got cooking.
“We just went on a run,’’ Wheeler said. “It was like part of his character, perseverance and just his dedication really elevated our offensive game.’’
The Trojans won their final nine games, including a thrilling 52-49 victory over Penn State in the Rose Bowl. In his first season, Darnold completed 67 percent of his passes, with 31 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
“I remember the last drive of the Rose Bowl, he had this throw to Deontay Burnett after we drove it down like 40, 50 yards, we were on like the 20, 25 or so, the ball was right where it needed to be for Deontay to make the catch and for the defender to not get in the way or make a pick,’’ Wheeler said. “It was a great throw. Touchdown.’’
This season, Darnold’s production dipped, completing 63 percent of his passes, with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Wheeler was not drafted, but stuck on the Giants roster and still keeps in touch with Darnold. Now that Wheeler has a taste of what the NFL is all about, he sees no reason why Darnold will not be a big hit, if he decides to make him- self eligible for the draft.
“He’s a physical quarterback specimen,’’ Wheeler said. “He played linebacker in high school. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty, especially in the run game, you always see him diving forward, getting that extra yard, not sliding as much, but they’re gonna tell him to slide more, obviously. I think he makes tackles if he throws picks. He’s a football player.’’
He is a football player who might become his teammate with the Giants.
“This man’s ceiling is through the roof,’’ Wheeler said. “Where he is now, you can’t tell where he’s gonna be in two, three years.’’