One of the most polarizing college football athletes of the past decade, Caleb Williams’ college journey has become folklore for those looking to better their careers at the college football level.
From Norman to Los Angeles, Williams’ college stats showcase just how talented the Heisman Trophy winner was for the Oklahoma Sooners and USC Trojans.
Caleb Williams’ Freshman Year
The Sooners didn’t have to wait long to catch glimpses of their future during the 2021 season. Caleb Williams made his debut in spot appearances early on, taking limited snaps against Tulane and Kansas State while stepping in for mop-up duty behind Spencer Rattler in a blowout win over Western Carolina.
But his legend truly began to take shape in Dallas, reaching polarizing heights during a Saturday showdown with Texas. Williams replaced Rattler against the Sooners’ archrival and immediately rushed his way into the hearts of Oklahoma fans forever.
Using his legs and showcasing flashes of his arm talent, Williams orchestrated a thrilling comeback in an unforgettable Red River Showdown victory over the Longhorns. He continued to dazzle down the stretch, capping off the season by dismantling Oregon in the Alamo Bowl.
Despite his promise, Williams was set to enter the 2022 season as a Heisman longshot due to Oklahoma’s crowded quarterback room and questions surrounding the program’s head coaching situation. Yet, as his journey unfolded, Williams stayed true to his course, ultimately following Lincoln Riley across the country to USC after his freshman campaign.
Williams’ freshman year saw him account for the following stats:
Completions: 136
Attempts: 211
Yards: 1,912
Comp. %: 64.5%
TDs: 21
INTs: 4
Rush Attempts: 79
Rush Yards: 442
Rush TDs: 6
Williams Brings Heisman Trophy to LA in Sophomore Year
Following Riley was the easy part. Stepping into the role as the first starting quarterback of a new era in Trojan football was where Caleb Williams faced the real challenge. Yet, looking back now, Williams didn’t just fill the shoes left for him—he set a new standard. As a first-year starter with the program, he reached heights that are now the benchmark for incoming transfer quarterbacks.
In 2022, Williams didn’t just play the role of USC’s starting quarterback—he owned it. Week after week, he dominated, delivering a season worthy of a Heisman Trophy. Even with some narrow losses to perennial rival Utah, Williams’ sophomore campaign was defined by record-breaking stats and jaw-dropping moments that left no doubt about his impact.
He threw for over 4,000 yards and had multiple touchdowns in all but two outings in 2022. Williams ended the year with a Heisman Trophy, among a handful of other awards, after delivering one of the best college football quarterbacking seasons we’ve seen.
Completions: 333
Attempts: 500
Yards: 4,537
Comp. %: 66.6%
TDs: 42
INTs: 5
Rush Attempts: 113
Rush Yards: 382
Rush TDs: 10
Team Losses Mar Incredible End to Williams’ College Career
With great power comes great responsibility, and the Heisman Trophy brought both to LA with Caleb Williams, putting the nation’s spotlight squarely on his every move as a junior in 2023.
While his performance on the field lived up to the hype, the team around him faltered with defensive struggles, ultimately undermining his exceptional play.
Even so, Williams dazzled enough to solidify his place as one of the most highly touted quarterback prospects in recent NFL Draft memory. His offense averaged an impressive 41.8 points per game in his final season with the Trojans, but the team stumbled to a 7-5 regular-season record.
Completions: 266
Attempts: 388
Yards: 3,633
Comp. %: 68.6%
TDs: 30
INTs: 5
Rush Attempts: 97
Rush Yards: 136
Rush TDs: 11
Caleb Williams’ Final College Stats
Completions: 735
Attempts: 1,099
Yards: 10,082
Comp. %: 66.9%
TDs: 93
INTs: 14
Rush Attempts: 289
Rush Yards: 960
Rush TDs: 27
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