USC quarterback Sam Darnold denies rumor he will dodge Cleveland Browns

USC quarterback Sam Darnold dismissed a rumor that he would stay in school for his junior season should the Cleveland Browns secure the top overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

"I didn't say anything about the Browns," Darnold said after practice Monday. "I've never said anything bad about (an NFL) team. They know I would never say anything."

NFL Network's Albert Breer told Cleveland radio station 92.3 The Fan earlier this month that Darnold is "going to take everything into account and that includes who's at the top of the draft."

Breer tweeted later, "Nothing more, nothing less. Smart kid with good people around him."

Darnold, who is projected as a high first-round pick, is currently a redshirt sophomore. He has passed for 3,462 yards and 24 touchdowns with 12 interceptions this season for the Trojans (10-2), who will play Stanford in the Pac-12 championship game Friday.

Cleveland (0-11), which long has struggled with consistency at the quarterback position, has rookie DeShone Kizer behind center. Kizer was selected by the Browns in the second round of the 2017 draft.