The 2024 NFL Draft is steadily approaching, set to take place from April 25-27, and the presumable No. 1 overall pick is USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
While Williams is present at the NFL Combine, he isn’t participating in any drills or even undergoing medical testing, but he did speak with the media on Friday. We recap everything Williams had to say about his pre-draft process and more.
Caleb Williams Speaks at NFL Combine
The major story coming out of the Combine regarding Williams has been his decision to skip the medical testing that players go through for teams during the week. “It was a decision by me and my team, my family. It comes down to that,” said Williams.
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Williams’ decision to skip that part of the Combine is believed to be the first time a prospect has ever done that, with the medical exams being considered one of the most important elements of the event.
When accepting his invitation, Williams did not sign off on having his medical records shared with all 32 teams.
“I’ll be doing the medical stuff, just not here in Indy. I’ll be doing it at the team interviews. Not 32 teams can draft me, there’s only one of me,” said Williams.
He later elaborated on his decision to Pro Football Talk, saying, “It really came down to not all 32 teams can draft me, so why give all 32 teams my personal medical things.”
“Give it to the teams that are gonna pursue me, so, on my visits, I’ll be doing medicals. Just decided to not do it here,” said Williams. “The teams that I go to for my visit, those teams will have the medical, and that’ll be it.”
In addition to not doing medicals, Williams let it be known how he feels about himself and not comparing himself to others.
“I don’t compare myself to the other guys,” said Williams. It’s believed that Williams will go with the top selection, but there’s a chance he could see competition from LSU’s Jayden Daniels and UNC’s Drake Maye.
QB Caleb Williams says that not being selected 1st overall is “not a thought in his mind.”
He has no doubt. He does not have a Plan B. #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/cmHQ5Tl5sH
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) March 1, 2024
“I expect myself to go high,” said Williams. “It’s not a thought in my mind that I’m not gonna be number one.” He also added that going high would put him in a situation “like how I went into USC,” as they were 4-8 the year prior.
“I think I’ve put in all the hard work, all of the time, effort, energy into being that. So, I don’t think of a plan B,” said Williams. “That’s kinda how I do things in my life, I don’t think of plan B, stay on plan A. When things don’t work out, find a way to make plan A work.”
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In addition to not doing medicals at the Combine, Williams would also not participate in drills or throw in front of teams. “I didn’t feel the need to go out and throw,” he said. “I’ve played around 30-something games I believe. Go ahead, go watch real, live ball of me.”
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