USC QB Caleb Williams has declared for the NFL Draft. It puts to end weeks of speculation over his decision.
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport broke the news on January 15, the final day for underclassmen to inform the league of their intent to enter the NFL Draft.
Caleb Williams Leaves USC
The news isn’t surprising, as Williams has been one of the top college QBs. He leaves USC fifth in all-time passing yards and fourth in all-time touchdowns.
It clarifies what we expected: USC and HC Lincoln Riley will be moving forward without Williams.
Next in line is Miller Moss, who USC fans are excited to see after his incredible showing in the Holiday Bowl. Williams had opted out of the Holiday Bowl, presumably to prepare for the draft, and five-star freshman Malachi Nelson had entered the transfer portal.
Moss threw six touchdown passes as USC defeated Louisville 42-28 and put an end to speculation that USC could be looking to bring a QB in through the transfer portal.Moss is a different player to Williams, with the previous USC QB setting a high bar for those to follow.
Williams’ College Career
A five-star recruit, Williams committed to the Oklahoma Sooners out of Gonzaga College High School in Washington. Williams opted to join Riley (who was then the head coach at Oklahoma) because of his reputation as a “QB Whisperer.”
Williams believed he could follow their path with Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts, and Kyler Murray heading to the NFL under Riley’s tutelage.
Williams began his freshman season in 2021, backing up Spencer Rattler, who was dealing with pressure and expectations himself. Oklahoma and Rattler specifically didn’t start the season strong, which led to them making a change and bringing Williams in.
The Sooners didn’t look back as Williams threw for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns while using his ludicrous athletic profile to rush for 442 yards and six touchdowns more.
At the end of the season, Riley left Oklahoma to become HC at USC, and Williams soon followed, entering the transfer portal on Jan. 3, 2022. On Feb. 1, 2022, what was anticipated became a reality, and Williams followed Riley to Southern Cal.
The dynamic head coach and quarterback duo engineered an unbelievable season that saw Williams win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, and PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Year.
The 2022 season was historic for Williams as he threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns. He was regarded as the top prospect in college football, with many analysts comparing him to NFL star Patrick Mahomes.
Williams entered 2023 after winning the Heisman Trophy and putting up elite numbers. However, his final season with the Trojans was a step back statistically as he tallied 3,633 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns.
Williams’ Draft Prospects
Williams is widely expected to be one of the top players taken in the 2024 Draft and is in a battle for QB1 with North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner is the favorite to be selected No. 1 overall, a pick currently held by the Chicago Bears.
MORE: 2024 Heisman Trophy Contenders Feature Miller Moss
With the Washington Commanders drafting at second and the New England Patriots drafting there, there appears to be little chance of Williams sliding too far on draft night.
His mobility as a true dual-threat makes Williams an intriguing prospect at the next level. With 142 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns in 2023, the top-rated QB has shown his ability to get it done with his legs.
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