Sam Darnold, an American professional football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, does not have a wife but has been in a relationship with Katie Hoofnagle since 2023.
Darnold, born on June 5, 1997, in Dana Point, California, began his football journey at San Clemente High School.
As a senior quarterback, he threw for 3,000 yards and 39 touchdowns, setting school records and earning a scholarship to play for the USC Trojans.
At USC, he redshirted his first year but gained prominence in 2016 by leading the Trojans to a Rose Bowl win, setting records with 473 passing yards and five touchdowns.
His performance earned him the prestigious Archie Griffin Award, making him the first freshman to receive it.
He finished his college career with 7,229 passing yards and 57 touchdowns in just two seasons as a starter.
In the 2018 NFL Draft, Darnold was selected third overall by the New York Jets, becoming the youngest opening-day starting quarterback in NFL history.
His rookie season saw him throw for 2,865 yards and 17 touchdowns, including a standout performance in a 42-34 victory over the Colts, where he passed for 280 yards and two scores.
The following year, in 2019, Darnold’s season was interrupted when he was diagnosed with mononucleosis, causing him to miss three games.
Despite the setback, he showed glimpses of his potential with impressive performances, including a 92-yard touchdown pass against the Cowboys.
In 2020, during Week 4 against the Broncos, Darnold showcased his athleticism with a career-long 46-yard rushing touchdown.
However, his season was plagued by injuries, limiting his overall impact.
After three seasons with the Jets, Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021.
In 2022, he played as a starter in six games, finishing with 1,143 passing yards and a 4-2 record.
In 2023, he took on a backup role with the San Francisco 49ers but found a new opportunity in 2024 when he signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
Stepping in as a starter after an injury to rookie J.J. McCarthy, Darnold led the Vikings to an impressive 4–0 start and earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for September.
Meet Katie Hoofnagle: Sam Darnold’s Supportive Girlfriend
As of November 2024, Sam Darnold is in a happy and thriving relationship with his girlfriend, Katie Hoofnagle.
Katie Hoofnagle was born on December 4, 1997, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
She pursued her education at the University of South Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in marketing with a minor in nutrition and food systems.
Professionally, Hoofnagle currently works as an Account Executive at Renvio (formerly Renesan & Visonex), a position she began in October 2024.
Before this role, she spent nearly four years at Loan Pronto, starting as a Loan Officer Assistant (Aug 2020 – Jun 2021), then advancing to Account Manager (Jun 2021 – Jul 2023), and later Mortgage Loan Officer (Jun 2023 – Mar 2024).
Her earlier professional experience includes a brief stint as a Retail Associate at Augusta National Golf Club during the 2021 Masters Tournament.
Additionally, she served as a University101 Peer Leader at the University of South Carolina in 2019, gaining leadership experience.
She also interned at Wells Fargo as a Wholesale Content Marketing and Strategy Summer Intern.
Moreover, she has held roles such as social media director for Chi Omega Fraternity’s Eta Gamma Chapter and sales associate at Anthropologie.
The couple made their relationship public in April 2023 when Hoofnagle shared photos of them on her Instagram account.
Since then, Katie has frequently posted about their time together, sharing moments like attending Darnold’s games and celebrating special occasions.
Recently, on November 19, 2024, she shared a series of photos with friends and Sam, highlighting their time together.
While Darnold and Hoofnagle have not announced any plans for marriage or engagement, they seem to be enjoying their relationship.
Katie remains a steadfast supporter of Darnold’s football career, frequently attending his games and celebrating his achievements.
Although Darnold prefers to keep his personal life private, Katie’s social media provides a glimpse into their relationship, showcasing their shared joy and mutual support.
Sam Darnold Previously Dated Claire Kirksey
Sam Darnold was previously in a relationship with Claire Kirksey during his time at the University of Southern California (USC).
The couple often shared glimpses of their bond on social media, highlighting their close connection.
Claire attended California State University, Long Beach, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration/Management in 2020.
She gained professional experience through internships, including roles as a Public Relations Intern at C-Squared PR, Inc. (2015-2016) and an Event Production Intern at Choura.
Following her internships, Claire worked as a server at OLA Mexican Kitchen, where she spent four years honing her skills in customer service.
She later transitioned to a Management Trainee role from February to October 2021 before pursuing a career in real estate.
Since December 2021, Claire has been working as a Real Estate Agent for Compass in Huntington Beach.
The last known public photo of Darnold and Kirksey dates back to 2017 when they attended a wedding together.
Reports indicate that the pair parted ways after Darnold began his professional football career.
Claire has since moved on and is currently in a relationship with Liam McCloskey, a former star swimmer from Auburn University.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Sam’s father, Mike, played as an offensive lineman at the University of Redlands, while his mother, Chris, competed in volleyball at Long Beach City College.
- His grandfather, Dick Hammer, was known for being a Marlboro Man, competing on the 1964 U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team, and making the 1954 Final Four with USC basketball.
