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Twenty-two NFL scouts credentialed for game between No. 5 USC, No. 16 Washington State

In this Sept. 2, 2017 file photo, Washington State quarterback Luke Falk (4) throws against Montana State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pullman. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

PULLMAN – NFL scouts are showing up in masses for tonight’s game between No. 16 Washington State and No. 5 USC.

A total of 22 scouts from 16 different teams – including York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan – received credentials for the 7:30 p.m. game at Martin Stadium and the majority will keep a close eye on the quarterback matchup betwen the Cougars’ Luke Falk and the Trojans’ Sam Darnold.

The Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Caridnals, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings are all represented in the Martin Stadium press box.

The Chargers, Browns, Jets, Vikings, Cardinals and Bills all sent multiple scouts to the Palouse.

Darnold, a redshirt sophomore who earned preseason AP All-American honors, is eligible to enter the NFL Draft at the end of this season and would presumably be selected in the first round if he did. The USC quarterback has been behind center for 13 consecutive wins, but he’s struggled with accuracy this season. Darnold has thrown nine touchdowns compared to seven interceptions.

Falk, the WSU senior who’s spent four years rewriting the Cougars’ record book, chose to stay for a fifth year on campus and is on pace to finish his career in Pullman with more passing yards than any other Pac-12 quarterback.