USC quarterback Caleb Williams intends to forgo his remaining college football eligibility and enter the 2024 NFL Draft, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday, per a source.
One of the most celebrated and talented college players of the past few seasons, Williams was the 2022 Heisman Trophy Award winner and has thrown for more than 10,000 pass yards in three college seasons.
Williams, who turned 22 years old in November, is viewed by some as a potential franchise quarterback in the NFL, given his excellent arm talent, athleticism and creativity.
However, Williams was unable to reach the high bar set for him in 2023, showing a propensity to hang onto the ball and take too many hits and sacks. For all his positives, Williams hurt his team with negative plays and still requires some refinement to his game. Still, this is an exciting player.
A D.C. native, Williams originally enrolled at Oklahoma in 2021, earning the backup spot behind Spencer Rattler as a true freshman that season. But it wouldn't be long before Williams took over, replacing Rattler in the Sooners' rivalry game vs. Texas. Oklahoma trailed 35-17 when Williams took over, but he led them to a dramatic 55-45 victory.
Williams transferred from Oklahoma to USC early in 2022, joining head coach Lincoln Riley after Riley signed a massive contract to become the Trojans' coach. Williams won the starting job, was named captain and engineered one of the greatest seasons in school history in an 11-3 campaign, throwing for 4,537 yards, 42 TDs and only five interceptions, also rushing for 382 yards and 10 TDs.
The 2023 season did not go as planned for USC, Riley or Williams, as the Trojans lost five out of six games down the stretch in the regular season. Williams ended his year with a loss to rival UCLA, throwing for 3,633 yards, 29 TDs and four interceptions and running for 142 yards and 11 more scores in a disappointing 7-5 campaign.
Over three seasons at OU and USC, Williams compiled 93 TD passes (with only 14 career interceptions) and 27 rushing TDs. The do-it-all star also caught a 15-yard pass, scored two two-point conversions (one rushing, one receiving) and has punted twice in his brief but brilliant college career.
The Chicago Bears hold the first overall pick in the 2024 draft, via the Carolina Panthers. Bears GM Ryan Poles recently said the team is in "information gathering mode" as it pertains to the draft and a decision about QB Justin Fields' future. The Washington Commanders hold the second pick, with the New England Patriots set to pick third.
