Sam Darnold is denying reports that he is returning to USC just to avoid being drafted No. 1 overall by the Browns.
Whether the Trojans quarterback will declare for the 2018 NFL Draft has been a hot topic this season, and when Darnold announced he would stay at USC, many speculated it was so he wouldn't be picked by the currently winless Browns.
"I didn't say anything about the Browns," Darnold told reporters after practice, via ESPN.com. "I've never said anything bad about (an NFL) team. They know I would never say anything."
SIGN UP to watch every NFL game and RedZone this season
Considering what a mess the Browns are, especially when it comes to their quarterback situation, it makes sense that Darnold would be a target.
The redshirt sophomore has two more years of eligibility. This season, he has passed for 3,462 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while leading USC to a 10-2 record.
Darnold and the Trojans will try and put an exclamation point on their season before the bowl games start when they take on Stanford in the Pac-12 title game Friday.