Although it is uncommon for a Heisman Trophy winner to perform up to the expectations of an NFL prospect, Caleb Williams of USC might be the exception.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Williams, who astounded the football world in 2022 with an outstanding performance that earned him another bronze statue for Heritage Hall’s trophy case, is solidifying his position as the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft with a strong start to his junior season.
Despite the lackluster competition, Williams’ 73.5 percent completion percentage and 9 to 0 touchdown-to-interception ratio indicate that his game has improved since 2022 when he had a 66.6 percent completion rate & a 42 to 5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Williams’ impressive statistics indicate that he has maintained his aggressiveness while becoming a more effective playmaker from the pocket, with a throw attempt average of 12.2 yards (up from 9.1 in 2021 and 2022).
Williams makes the game seem simple while watching the film of his excellent performances against San Jose State and Nevada thus far this season. He dismantled the Spartans’ defense with a variety of quick-rhythm throws at close and intermediate ranges. The Trojans were able to take advantage of the Spartans’ slack defensive postures thanks to Williams’ perfect accuracy in the pocket and when moving.
Williams’ on-time plays followed the scripts exactly, but his improvised brilliance sets him distinct from other actors in the role. Williams has a talent for hitting receivers in stride on off-platform throws, whether it be when escaping pass rushers and sprinting around the perimeter dropping “dimes” on bootlegs & rollouts or scrambling tosses. I’m reminded of Patrick Mahomes’ weekly magic tricks on opponents as I watch the USC third-year player throw blind passes around or over defenders.
While I’m not ready to declare Williams a future two-time MVP, their styles of play are comparable enough for me to see Williams earning a name for himself as a franchise quarterback.
He demonstrated his improvisational abilities against Nevada by dancing around and throwing “dime” after “dime” at the Wolf Pack. Williams is impossible to defend for the full 60 minutes because to his accuracy, instincts, and athleticism. Additionally, he rarely seems spooked or fazed by a disorganized pocket. Williams’ cool and collected manner in the face of an aggressive pass rusher leaves little room for doubt regarding his poise and composure under duress.
Scouts will have an opportunity to properly assess Williams’ leadership abilities and overall command as a field general when he assumes a larger position inside the offense as the “check with me” specialist in Lincoln Riley’s offense. The current Heisman Trophy winner is a dominant figure with a locker-room-friendly “dawg” temperament (a fiercely competitive, tough-minded mentality).
It is challenging to find weaknesses in the performance of a quarterback who has a career completion rate of 66.4 percent and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 72-9 through 27 games. Since making an impact as a freshman at Oklahoma before moving to USC after Lincoln Riley was hired, Williams has flourished as a playmaker. The qualities that the majority of coaches and executives look for in a franchise quarterback are consistency, dependability, and dependability as a QB1.
Williams’ success as a playmaker of explosive plays with few turnovers makes it simple to live with the rare progression mistakes, even though scouts will point out that his propensity to hunt for big plays throws off the timing and rhythm of a passing game that is meant to get the ball out of the quarterback’s hands. A star player with the skills to succeed in any system, the junior playmaker is a playmaker.
In the same way that Mahomes has the ability to improve an NFL organization, executives and scouts are constantly looking for the next quarterback prospect. Williams has all the makings to be the quarterback of the 2024 class, with his confidence, playing style, and ability to create plays.