Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams (QB) – USC / Junior

6’1-1/8″”, 214 Lbs. (Combine)

2023 Stats: 12 games, 266 completions, 388 attempts, 3633 passing yards, 9.4 yards per attempt, 30 passing TDs, 5 INTs, 170.1 Rate.  97 rushing attempts, 142 rushing yards, 11 TDs.

{Reference: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/caleb-williams-3.html}

Awards: 2022 Heisman Trophy, 2022 AP Player of the Year, 2022 Consensus All-America, 2022 Maxwell Award, 2022 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, 2022 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.

Measurables (Combine):

RAS: (Available post-combine/pro day)

Games Watched: 2023 @ Notre Dame; 2023 vs. Washington; 2022 @ Stanford; 2022 vs Tulane (Cotton Bowl)

PRO’S 

Elite talent, dynamic, playmaker are all applicable descriptions of Caleb Williams, and we can even throw in “generational talent,” in my opinion.  Caleb Williams possesses an elite football IQ, excellent field vision to make all of his reads and delivers the ball effortlessly to all levels of the field.  Beautiful off-platform throws when pressured still finding a way to throw perfect passes when his body is contorted and only one foot on the ground.  Is not fazed by pressure and holds onto the ball when hit.  Quick processor and decision maker, great anticipation and leads his receivers beautifully and seemingly like an accomplished NFL veteran which in turn maximizes YAC, gives his WRs a legit shot at the ball with elite placement.  Nice pocket awareness and presence and while not a running QB ala Lamar Jackson, he buys plenty of time with his legs and eats defenses alive outside of the pocket.  He’s played with SOME elite talent (i.e. Jordan Addison) but, really, mostly not-the-best NCAA talent out there and has clearly elevated what’s around him at both WR and the OLine — quality NFL QBs are the ones who elevate the talent around them to get the job done, and that is what Williams has done throughout his NCAA career.  Often puts up big numbers in big games, but can overcome only so much ala the 2023 Cotton Bowl game against Tulane where he went for 5 TDs & 1 INT and 462 yards in a 46-45 loss…I mean, what more could he do?  

CON’S

Outside of his size — an unofficial 6’1″ at 218 lbs (which probably means he’s really 6’0″ at 208 lbs.) — I feel like I’d have to go searching and make too much out of some things to add something to the “Cons” section of this profile.  Has not operated in advanced offensive systems, but I just see his IQ and outright ability to be too outstanding to not translate to the NFL.  I believe that if he is combined with a next-level HC/OC in the NFL, then the “Caleb Williams Show” will be must-see because he WILL take that next step and progress to elite-NFL levels in a high-level NFL offense.  I do not doubt his ability to process and make good decisions at the next level.

OVERALL 

Caleb Williams is THE very special QB in what is shaping up to be a special QB class with, in my opinion, a definite 4 QBs going in the first round with that number potentially and legitimately reaching 7.  Jayden Daniels won the Heisman in 2023 (deservedly so) and an increasing number see Drake Maye as QB1 (which is not crazy), but with all due respect it is Williams who is the most special talent with the highest ceiling of them all.  Williams won the 2022 Heisman.  In his 3 year college tenure (one at Oklahoma and two at USC), Williams put up a combined 93 passing TDs and only 14 INTs on 735 completions for 1099 attempts, 10082 passing yards at 9.2 yards per attempt PLUS 27 rushing TDs and 966 rushing yards.  That averages out to 40 TDs combined (passing and rushing) and 3682 total yards per season (while not becoming the starter in ’21 until game 4), along with an average of 9.2 yards per attempt and a QB rating of 169.3.  I’d be happy if my team landed Maye or Daniels, but Williams is the dude.

Completed by: Joe Knows (@JoeJ_Clark), 01/01/24

Updated: 03/03/24