NFL Draft Profile: Caleb Williams, Quarterback, USC Trojans
Caleb Williams
USC Trojans
#13
Pos: QB
Ht: 6005
Wt: 220
40: 4.48
DOB: 11/18/2001
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High School: Gonzaga College
Eligibility: 2024
One Liner:
Williams is a projected early first-round selection because of his athletic playmaking style, creativity, and impressive passing velocity.
Evaluation:
Williams has a quick release and fairly compact throwing motion. He throws with creative arm angles to speed up his release or get the ball around defenders. The ball explodes off Williams’ hand with excellent velocity. His pure arm talent shined when he played on one healthy leg against Utah in the 2022 Pac-12 Championship Game and couldn’t drive the ball with his lower body. The Heisman Trophy winner layers his throws between the second and third-level defenders and applies touch on deep throws and red zone fades. His base becomes wide, and his footwork is stagnant at times, but he usually steps into throws with ideal weight transfer. Williams improved his play and poise within the pocket as the 2022 season progressed. However, he’s more well-known for making plays outside of structure. The former five-star recruit has high-level escape ability and a playmaker mentality that leads to big gains on extended plays. He is comfortable and accurate throwing on the run, applying terrific velocity by torquing his body. Williams often keeps his eyes downfield while scrambling to look for an open receiver before taking off. He has the speed to separate from defensive linemen and edge rushers and the elusiveness and change of direction skills to make defenders miss in space. There are examples of Williams quickly working through full-field reads before getting to his check down. The junior is a high-character, tough leader who is willing to battle through pain. There are some concerns that he’ll invite big hits, negative plays, and injuries with his style. He consistently holds the ball for over three seconds and freelances. Williams retreats too far in the pocket and is loose with the football when he scrambles. He has 17 fumbles in the past two seasons. The former Oklahoma Sooner heavily relies on his athleticism but is still developing as a pocket passer. Williams challenges double coverage at poor times, and his vision doesn’t always reveal lurking safeties or undercutting defensive backs. There are times when his lack of touch on intermediate throws leads to interceptions by linebackers or box defensive backs.
Grade:
1st Round
Background:
Williams was a five-star recruit from Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C., in the class of 2021. He was the No. 7 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 6 for Rivals, and No. 7 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 16th in the nation (four-star) with an 89 grade out of 100. He committed to Oklahoma over offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Texas A&M, and other major Power Five programs. Williams followed head coach Lincoln Riley to USC for the 2022 season. Gonzaga High School didn’t play in 2020 because of COVID-19. During his high school junior season, Williams passed for 1,770 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 838 yards and 18 touchdowns. As a sophomore, he was the District of Columbia Gatorade Football Player of the Year and a MaxPreps Sophomore All-American. He passed for 2,624 yards and 26 touchdowns and ran for 394 yards and ten touchdowns that season. Williams capped his 2018 campaign by scoring six touchdowns in a late-game win in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference finals. He was an All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference selection twice and took home MVP honors in 2019. Williams was the 2020 Elite 11 Finals MVP and a 2021 All-American Bowl invitee. He made the 2022 Allstate AFCA Goodworks Team for actions like creating the Caleb Cares Foundation, which promotes causes like anti-bullying, mental health awareness, and youth development. Williams volunteered at a homeless shelter and a senior citizen’s center in his high school days.
