USC Football: Trojans RB Projects Caleb Williams' NFL Draft Standing

Is it already a forgone conclusion?

Your USC Trojans entered the 2023 season with NCAA championship hopes. 2023 was supposed to be the year the Trojans competed for a college football title for the first time in their history. 

Most of that hope and anticipation came from star Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams was coming off a Heisman Trophy season and was expected to repeat as winner and more. However, as we all know now, that was not the case, but it wasn't Williams' fault. He still played like his Heisman self, which was why USC succeeded early. 

The junior quarterback's season is winding down, and the question now is whether he'll stay for his senior season at USC or take his talents to the NFL. All season long that has been the talk of the town: What will Caleb do in 2024? Junior running back MarShawn Lloyd doesn't know either, but he does know one thing: if he decides to head to the NFL, he will be the number one overall pick. 

“We know Caleb, he’s the No. 1 pick, no matter what,” running back MarShawn Lloyd said. “No matter the way the season goes, Caleb is a great player, a great leader and a great teammate.”

(Per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The Los Angeles Times)

Lloyd went on to say the type of leader and person Williams is and makes the case for his teammate. 

“I knew what type of player he is. I knew what type of leader he is,” said Lloyd, whose history with Williams dates to their youth football days. “Caleb is a competitor. He believes in himself and he also believes in his team, so I knew exactly when I saw that type of information that came out, that Caleb was going to go until the brakes fall off.”

(Per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The Los Angeles Times)

Lloyd isn't wrong. Williams is arguably the best QB prospect anyone has ever seen, and there is no doubt that he shouldn't be the number one overall pick. Although that is up for those teams to decide, Williams has yet to decide on whether he'll take the leap to the NFL in 2024. 

All season long, Willaims has yet to show any of his cards, even though, to some, the writing is on the wall. Without any confirmation, it remains a mystery whether he'll be back on campus or be the face of a franchise.

Only Williams and his family may know, but regardless, if he comes back, we'll be ecstatic, and if he doesn't, we'll be beyond happy and grateful for his time in the Cardinal red and gold.   

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