When Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for USC, there was plenty of speculation as to whether Caleb Williams would follow the QB whisperer out west.
Riley had already coached two quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, to Heisman Trophy wins and to becoming first overall selections in the NFL Draft. Williams, the No. 8 recruit in the 2021 class, had shown promise in his freshman season at Oklahoma filling in Spencer Rattler, but it was still a disappointing season for the Sooners.
Williams made the decision to follow Riley to Los Angeles, and the decision appears to have paid off. Williams is the heavy frontrunner to win the Heisman, giving a Riley the third Heisman Trophy winner in his six years as a coach, and the Trojans are a Utah win away from heading to the College Football Playoff.
Heading into the Pac-12 championship, Williams is tied for sixth in the nation with 34 passing touchdowns, has just three interceptions, is seventh in yards per attempt (9.1) and passing yards (3,712). He's also rushed 97 times for 351 yards with 10 touchdowns.
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Williams' standout 2022 campaign has built up hype for what his future in the NFL could look like, particularly as the 2022 college football season starts to near the College Football Playoff. When will Williams be able to take the jump to the NFL? Here's what you need to know.
When is Caleb Williams eligible for the NFL Draft?
There are some big names in the 2023 NFL Draft's quarterback class: Bryce Young. C.J. Stroud. Will Levis. Anthony Richardson.
Not on the list? Caleb Williams. The USC quarterback will not be eligible for the NFL Draft until 2024.
Williams started at Oklahoma as a true freshman and has prospered at USC as a true sophomore. He will be required to spend at least one more year in college before he can head to the league.
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The Trojans have had four first-round quarterbacks since 2000, but just one since 2010. Williams is all but certain to be the next first-round USC QB in the draft, and he could join an even more exclusive list of former Trojan signal-callers.
Caleb Williams NFL Draft projection
When a quarterback makes throws like this ...
THIS THROW 😮🔥
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 20, 2022
Unreal arm talent by @CALEBcsw 👏 pic.twitter.com/yr2vzC9cSb
and runs like this ...
CALEB WILLIAMS. ARE YOU SERIOUS 😱 pic.twitter.com/x1anIT2R7v
— ESPN (@espn) November 27, 2022
... it's safe to say he's going to be a high draft pick. That's going to be the case with Williams, who has not only put together a strong case for the Heisman, but is making an early statement to go first overall in 2024.
Here's where he's expected to go, according to a few mock drafts and prospect ranking lists:
- Walter Football has projected Williams first overall to the Commanders.
- Draft Countdown has projected Williams first overall to the Texans
- Pro Football Network has Williams as the No. 2 prospect
Should Williams go first overall in 2024, he would be only the second USC quarterback ever selected with the first pick, joining Carson Palmer, who was taken by the Bengals first in 2003.