Caleb Williams was one of college football's biggest stars at USC and Oklahoma, but fans and journalists alike did not heard much from the quarterback during his three-year career.
That was by design. Lincoln Riley — Williams' coach with the Sooners and Trojans — generally shielded the star from news conferences. As a result, most knew Williams solely for his on-field performance and infrequent soundbites.
But at the 2024 NFL Combine, Williams held a rare — albeit brief — media session in which he fielded questions from reporters.
Here’s the Caleb Wiliams podium at the combine 👀 pic.twitter.com/kibiOP4fB6
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 1, 2024
That gave NFL fans a better window into the 22-year-old's personality as he prepares for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Williams discussed his impressions of the teams he met at the combine, and he also explained why he was passing on workouts and on medical exams during the event.
Here are the most notable highlights from Williams' news conference and what he said about the possibility of becoming the the No. 1 overall pick.
MORE: Why Caleb Williams is declining to do medical exams at 2024 NFL Combine
Caleb Williams press conference highlights
Williams on playing for the Bears
Williams expressed confidence that he would land with the Bears if they hold onto the No. 1 overall selection.
"I don’t think I’m not going to be No. 1," Williams said about the top selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
And how does Williams feel about potentially joining the Bears? In a word, he's excited, as Chicago profiles better than many of the recent teams that have held the draft's top pick.
"The Bears were a 7-10 last year, and that’s pretty good for a team with the No. 1 pick," Williams said. "A really good defense. It’s pretty exciting if you can go to a situation like that."
Williams can thank the Panthers — who traded the Bears their first-round pick, which became the No. 1 overall pick, as part of the Bryce Young trade — for setting up this opportunity.
One reporter asked Prescott about Chicago's track record developing quarterbacks and whether that would be a red flag for him as he evaluates his potential landing spots. The 22-year-old he isn't worried about that troublesome trend, though.
"I don’t compare myself to other guys," he said. "I like to rewrite history."
So it certainly seems like Williams would be all-in if he landed with the Bears.
MORE: SN's latest NFL mock draft | Top 125 big board
Williams on meeting with the Commanders
That said, Williams also got positive vibes from the Commanders, one of the eight teams he met with at the 2024 NFL Combine.
Williams grew up in the D.C. area, and he pointed to that as one reason he was intrigued by the franchise.
"Like I said before, it's familiar. It's hometown, as everybody knows," Williams told reporters. "It would be really cool to be back there and experience that. The meeting went really well and everybody was in the room. So, being around everyone, just getting a taste of how they are [and] who they are because like you said, everything's new there."
So while Williams wants to be the No. 1 overall pick, perhaps he would be pleased to become the No. 2 overall selection as well.
Williams on meeting with the Patriots
As for the Patriots, who hold the No. 3 pick, Williams explained that their session differed from others, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.
"The Patriots were cool. The room wasn’t as packed," he said. "They asked me questions about life, about ball."
Williams is unlikely to be available for the Patriots at No. 3. But if they like him enough, they could consider trading up to the No. 1 selection. If the Bears trade Justin Fields, though, that seems unlikely to happen.
MORE: Patriots looking to select QB with No. 3 pick, prefer Jayden Daniels to Drake Maye
Michael Jordan comparison
One reporter asked Williams if he wanted to build a legacy akin to that of Michael Jordan, especially if the USC product lands in Chicago. Williams expressed confidence in his ability to do so while staying humble.
"I'd say anywhere I go, that's my standard," he said. "That's what I play for as y'all saw. I don't play for fame, I don't play for money. I don't play for jewels and things like that. It's just go out there and win as many games as possible and be the best that I can.
"My plan is if I can be my best and play as many games as possible at my best, I think I can reach certain points like that."
The name “Michael Jordan” was brought up during this presser, and if Caleb Williams can play at such a standard.
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) March 1, 2024
His response: pic.twitter.com/7nsq3m0dRN
Aaron Rodgers comparison
Williams was asked about his 6-1 frame during his media availability and whether he had heard any concerns about it. He laughed off the question and, unprompted by reporters, compared his size to that of Aaron Rodgers.
"I'm around Aaron Rodgers' size, and maybe weight too," Williams said.
Williams didn't address any playing style similarities between himself and Rodgers, though.
Why Williams isn't throwing at the NFL Combine
Naturally, Williams was asked why he opted not to throw at the 2024 NFL Combine. His answer was simple, and one that many top quarterback prospects have echoed in recent seasons.
"I didn't feel the need to go out and throw," he explained. "I played about 30-something games I believe, go ahead and go watch real, live ball with me and see how I am as a competitor."
MORE: Why Caleb Williams isn't throwing at the 2024 NFL Combine
Why Williams isn't doing medical exams at the NFL Combine
This was another hot topic on Friday, as Williams becomes the first prospect to accept a combine invite, attend the event but not participate in medical exams, per CBS Sports.
"I'll be doing the medical stuff. Just not here at Indy." Williams explained. "Not 32 teams can draft me. There's only one of me. The teams that I go to for my visit, those teams will have the medical and that will be it."
Williams figures to be a top-three pick — if not the No. 1 overall selection — so his decision to skip the long, tedious prospect of conducting medical checks for all 32 teams is sensible.
Caleb Williams crashed Brenden Rice's presser
After his media availability finished up, Williams stuck around to poke fun at his teammate Brenden Rice. He approached the USC wideout during his media availability and insisted on asking him a couple of questions.
First, he asked Rice what it was like being Jerry Rice's son.
"Man, it feels even better to be a teammate of Caleb Williams," the younger Rice playfully responded.
Williams then queried Rice about when he should be drafted in fantasy during his rookie season before turning the proverbial microphone back over to the reporters on hand for Rice's session.
USC QB Caleb Williams to USC WR Brenden Rice:
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) March 1, 2024
“How does it feel to be Jerry Rice’s son?” pic.twitter.com/kKjajXkmO3