Caleb Williams is by far the top quarterback in the 2024 draft class.
Many believe the USC star is a generational prospect similar to Patrick Mahomes and brings a skill set to the league that could instantly turn a struggling team into a playoff contender.
The USC Trojans star is coming off back-to-back impressive seasons to say the least.
He closed out his 2023 campaign with 3,633 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and just five interceptions with a completion percentage of 68.6.. The dual-threat QB added another 11 touchdowns on 97 carries for 136 yards as a runner.
While this season’s performance was enough to keep Williams in the Heisman discussion most of the year, his 2022 performance was remarkable to say the least, and he was awarded the most coveted individual honor for a college football player.
Caleb Williams became the University of Southern California’s seventh Heisman winner when he was announced as the recipient of the 88th Heisman Memorial Trophy following a sophomore season in which he also won the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards and the 2022 AP Player of the Year honor.
The 6-foot-1 Williams, who transferred to USC as a sophomore, threw for 4,075 yards on 296-of-448 passing (66.1%) with a national co-leading 37 touchdown passes against just four interceptions. His passing yards were fourth-most nationally, his quarterback rating (167.94) was fifth-best and his passing yards per game (313.5) were sixth-best.
Williams joined USC’s previous Heisman winners Matt Leinart (2004), Carson Palmer (2002), Marcus Allen (1981), Charles White (1979), O.J., Simpson (1968) and Mike Garrett (1965).
Caleb Williams, hails from Washington D.C and was ranked as the nation’s No. 1 player by SI All-American as a 2020 senior quarterback at Gonzaga College High School.
Williams enrolled at Oklahoma in the spring of 2021 after graduating a semester early from high school and became the Sooners’ starting quarterback by mid-season, taking over for Spencer Rattler. Overall in 2021 while appearing in 11 games and starting the last seven, he completed 136-of-211 passes (64.5%) for 1,912 yards and 21 TDs with 4 interceptions, running for 442 yards on 79 carries with six touchdowns. His 1,670 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns were the most ever by an OU true freshman.
He transferred to USC as a sophomore, following Head Coach Lincoln Riley who took over the Trojans in 2022 . Caleb Williams won the Trojans’ quarterback job and led USC to an 11-2 season after the Trojans went 4-8 in 2021.
He finished the regular season third nationally in total offense with 4,447 yards with a total that broke USC’s school record (4,225, 2017). He also rushed for 372 yards (the most at USC in at least 70 years) on 109 carries with a team-best 10 TDs. Williams’ 47 total touchdowns led the country, as did his 282 points responsible for while his total touchdowns were a school record. He threw for over 300 yards seven times, including twice over 400 yards.
Williams’ passing yards (4,075) are the eighth-most among Heisman winners, his 47 total touchdowns (49) are ninth most, his total offense (4,447) and quarterback rating (167.94) are 11th-most in Heisman history.
He completed his season in record-setting fashion at the Cotton Bowl Classic, throwing for 462 yards and five TDs — both bowl game records — in a tough 46-45 loss to Tulane.
Could Caleb Williams Return To His Home City And Play For The Washington Commanders?
With two games remaining, the Washington Commanders currently hold the No. 3 pick in April’s NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals are slated in front of them, and while it’s unlikely Arizona is going to part ways with Kyler Murray, Justin Fields future in Chicago will be the deciding factor.
Washington bet the 2023 season on second-year NFL QB Sam Howell, and while the former UNC star shined at times, he’s struggled mightily as of late and has been benched for Jacoby Brissett ahead of Sundays game vs. the 49ers.
One ESPN Insider reported the Commanders have strong interest in Williams, and while the Chicago Bears hold the cards with the No. 1 overall pick, Washington may be in a position to draft the USC QB or trade up for him if the Bears decide to bet their future on Justin Fields.
Williams himself has made it clear he doesn’t want to be drafted by the Bears, but it’s basically out of his control.
“There’s some thought around the league that Washington is very interested in Caleb Williams, a Washington, D.C., native who’s the strong favorite to be picked first overall,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote“The Commanders, with a break here or there over the next couple of weeks, could find themselves in position to either draft Williams or trade up a spot or two to get him.”