The NFL Draft will begin on April 25, 2024. We take a look at USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Draft scouting reports.
Williams, a product of Gonzaga Collegiate High School in Washington, D.C., is widely expected to be the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. A former five-star prospect, Williams was ranked No. 1 in D.C., No. 2 among quarterbacks, and No. 8th overall in the 2021 class. A Heisman Trophy winner in 2022, Williams set the record books ablaze at both Oklahoma and USC.
Williams made a memorable impact in college football, supplanting Spencer Rattler mid-game at Oklahoma and never looking back. He recorded 1,670 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns for the Sooners, the most by a true freshman in program history.
Live look at Caleb Williams after coming off the bench to replace Spencer Rattler and lead a comeback over Texas… #RedRiverShowdown #OUvsTEX pic.twitter.com/TCvon1V2Ac
— Ethan W. Anderson (@ethanandersonw) October 9, 2021
Williams followed head coach Lincoln Riley to USC where he destroyed the program’s historic record books. Williams became the Trojans’ single-season record holder for total offense (4,919 yards), most touchdowns scored by rushing and passing (52), passing completions (333), passes attempted (500), most passing yards gained (4,537), most touchdown passes thrown (42), most rushing and passing plays (613), lowest interception rate (one percent; five in 500 attempts), and highest passing efficiency rating (168.5).
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Name: Caleb Williams
Jersey: No. 13
Position: Quarterback
School: USC
Class: Junior
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 210 lbs.
Caleb Williams’ Strengths
Caleb Williams was almost made in a lab to play quarterback in today’s NFL. He’s a leader who pairs insane arm strength with top-notch accuracy. If a play breaks down, he’s more than athletic enough to get the offense out of trouble. He can do everything you want your franchise quarterback to do, and he does it at an above-average level.
What accentuates these attributes is his ability to know when to use them. Caleb operates the offense like a deadly assassin. He can prod you with underneath, accurate throws. If you begin to take those away, he can put the ball in the bucket down the field on a dime. And when everything is taken away, he can finish you with a 50-yard gain on the ground. Watching him get on a hot streak is as close to art in football as you can get.
Caleb Williams’ Weaknesses
While Williams can get hot and make great decisions, there are times when he will cause grief. He will make some decisions that truly infuriate coaches. When he goes into playmaker mode, he ignores rational decisions and can cost the team 20 yards instead of routinely throwing the ball away. These plays sometimes break his way and end up on SportsCenter. The alternative, though, is a costly fumble or interception when he tries too hard to do everything for the team. With the right coaching, this should be corrected.
Pro Comparison: Aaron Rodgers
When looking for a comp for Williams, I chose Rodgers over Dak Prescott because of the swagger with which Williams plays the position. He’s in full control, remaining calm, cool, and collected. Rodgers and Williams have almost identical body frames and throwing motions, as well. The side-arm throws, accuracy, arm strength, and hyper-quick releases make this the best comparison available. There’s some Patrick Mahomes in his game, but only when it comes to improvising. Rodgers will serve as what we can expect to see from Williams’ time in the NFL.
Draft Projection: Top-Three Pick
While I don’t expect him to drop as far as No. 3, I won’t put anything past general managers who love overcomplicating things. (See the Jaguars’ selection of Travon Walker over Aidan Hutchinson at No. 1 overall in 2022.) Williams is a complete quarterback who should thrive in whatever scheme he joins.
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