At this point, USC’s Caleb Williams going No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears is merely a formality, but Williams has been slated for the top slot since after the 2022 season. Let’s take a look at Williams’ history and examine his path to the NFL.
Where Did Caleb Williams’ Football Career Start?
Williams went to Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.; while merely a sophomore, he led his school to the WCAC title. They were the No. 1 team in their district and Williams was the Gatorade Football Player of the Year.
As a junior, Williams was given Washington Post All-Metropolitan First Team honors for the second consecutive year. Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented him from making it three straight, as his senior season was canceled.
Williams was a highly sought-after prospect, as he was rated the highest of anyone in his class — not just quarterbacks. As a result, he had offers from 22 Division I programs. Ultimately, Williams chose to enroll at Oklahoma.
Revisiting Williams’ College Career
Oklahoma
As a true freshman, Williams opened the year as Spencer Rattler‘s backup. At the time, Rattler was considered a top NFL prospect and one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.
Midway through their Week 4 contest against rival Texas, Williams took over for Rattler. After orchestrating a comeback down three scores, Williams made his first collegiate start the following week. The rest, as they say, is history.
Caleb Williams at Oklahoma🔥 pic.twitter.com/TzuytkMI8Z
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) July 18, 2023
Williams wasn’t quite the prolific passer he would become in short order, but he threw for 21 touchdowns against just four interceptions in his eight meaningful games at Oklahoma.
Toward the end of his freshman year, Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley left to take the same position with USC. After finishing out the season, Williams decided to follow Riley to the West Coast.
USC
It was at USC that Williams blossomed into the elite NFL prospect we now know. Williams started 14 games, throwing for 4,573 yards and 42 touchdowns with a mere five interceptions in 2022. He was the best quarterback in college football by far, winning the Heisman, and likely would have gone No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft if he were eligible.
As a junior, Williams wasn’t quite as productive, but it would be unfair to say he regressed. Williams started 12 games, throwing for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Throughout his college career, Williams showed a unique ability to protect the football.
Williams’ Potential in the NFL
NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings has high praise for the USC QB.
“At 6’1”, 215 pounds, Williams is one of the most prolific, natural creators to hit the NFL Draft circuit over the past decade. At times, he resembles a magician with his ability to control the field and make something out of nothing.
“Williams’ combination of creation ability and hyper-elite arm talent is his most marketable trait, and contrary to a prevalent belief, Williams doesn’t force passes or invite risk by nature.”
MORE: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Caleb Williams
As the surefire top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, expectations will be lofty. Williams has been compared to Patrick Mahomes, which is the highest praise a quarterback can get.
While we should stop short of calling Williams a sure thing, that should only be just barely. Williams is as close to a sure thing as we’ve seen since Andrew Luck. It would be a major upset if he not only didn’t pan out but wasn’t at least a top-10 NFL QB by 2026.
Highlights, Records, and More
Williams’ 2022 season was one for the ages. Much like his sophomore season in high school wound up being his best, so too was his sophomore season at college.
Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 2022, as well as the Maxwell Award. He also earned the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and was named AP College Football Player of the Year and Sporting News College Football Player of the Year.
Unsurprisingly, Williams was a unanimous All-American as well as a first-team All-Pac-12 honoree.
Throughout his college career, Williams threw for just shy of 10,000 yards while adding 93 touchdowns against a mere 14 interceptions. He’s gone on record saying he doesn’t like to run with the ball, but that doesn’t mean he’s not capable of doing so. Williams finished with 289 carries for 966 yards and 27 rushing touchdowns.
The NFL is in dire need of an infusion of talented QBs. Williams is nearly certain to help provide one. The question isn’t whether he will be good, it’s whether he will be great.
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