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NFL Draft Prospect Preview - Caleb Williams

Updated: Dec 19, 2023

by J.T. Toth


Photo of Caleb Williams courtesy of John E. McGillen Photography LLC.


The NFL Draft talk never ends, and we are here at Draft 412 to get you ready for the next set of gridiron stars. From today until draft night 2024, we will bring you mocks, profiles, team needs, and everything else related to the 2024 NFL Draft.


Name- Caleb Williams

Pos- QB

Team- USC

HT/WT- 6’1” 220 lbs.

Born- 11/18/2001

Home – Washington, D.C.


Caleb Williams is a name that all college football fans should know. He burst onto the scene in 2021, replacing Spencer Rattler midway through the season at Oklahoma. The following year, Williams would follow head coach, Lincoln Riley, to USC to become their starting quarterback. Williams would lead USC to an 11-3 record and go on to win the Heisman Trophy Award.


Williams graduated from Gonzaga College High School in Washington D.C. In 2020 Williams was named the USA Today and MaxPreps preseason First-Team All-American. Rivals and 247 Sports would rank Williams as a 5-star talent coming out of high school. Williams would pick Oklahoma over Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Ohio St. as well as many others.


In 2021 at Oklahoma, Williams would start as a backup to Spencer Rattler. Rattler was at the time a quarterback a lot of draft pundits thought could be a #1 pick. Williams would take over in week 6 and never relinquish the reins. He finished the season throwing for 1,912 yards to go along with 21 TD’s. Williams would also rush 64 times for 559 yards.


Williams would follow Oklahoma Head Coach Lincoln Riley to USC to become the Trojan starting quarterback for his sophomore season. Williams would put up a historic season for the Trojans, throwing for 4,080 yards, 37 TD’s, and a completion percentage of 66.0. Williams would also run for 614 yards. Add in a QB rating of 118.3 and Caleb Williams would go on to win the 2022 Heisman Trophy Award.


Williams started the 2023 season off like a 2nd Heisman Trophy was easily in his grasp. But he has struggled against good defenses and after starting 6-0 , the Trojans have lost 5 out of 6 to go to 7-5. His numbers look good, but once again he took advantage of poor defenses. He has thrown for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns in 12 games for the Trojans.



Strengths


  • The prototypical dual-threat quarterback the league wants.

  • Makes his reads quickly, uses progressions well.

  • Does a good job looking off safeties to set up targets.

  • A good feel while escaping the pocket, knows when to tuck the ball away.

  • Accuracy to not just hit targets, but put them in the best place to make a play.



Weaknesses


  • Not the prototypical height that the NFL looks for.

  • Can throw some 50/50 balls off of pressure instead of making the safe play.

  • Pressure can lead to him losing yards when trying to escape, so instead of a 7-yard loss you have a 15-yard loss.

  • Loses accuracy on the longer throws.


Final Analysis


Caleb Williams came into the season as the first overall pick and it seemed like a lock. There is now some question marks after the second half freefall the Trojans went through.


Prediction- #1 pick in 2024.


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