Will USC QB Caleb Williams Spurn Rams and 2024 NFL Draft?

Is there a chance that University of Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams isn't the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Anything can happen on draft day that could lead to someone else going No. 1 overall instead of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Yet, it'd become impossible for Williams to be the first pick if he ultimately decides to return for his senior season with the Trojans in 2024 and potentially deny the Los Angeles Rams a chance to draft him.

"That's for sure now going to be an in-the-moment decision at the end of the year," Williams said in a recent interview with ESPN about the looming decision to enter the NFL Draft. "It's my third year, and the dream and goal was to go three-and-out. Being around these guys and in college and enjoying it, we'll have to see at the end of this year."

It wouldn't be the first time the projected No. 1 pick decided to stay in college for another season, as former Stanford Cardinal then-turned Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck made the NFL wait one more season in 2011 before entering the draft in 2012.

Although, even with the precedent set by Luck, it wouldn't make Williams' decision to delay his entry into the NFL any less shocking. Heading into his junior season, the former five-star quarterback already has evaluators drooling as comparisons are being made to Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.

So, if evaluators are so confident in Williams, why would he hesitate to commit to entering the draft after his junior season?

"I don't think there'd be one specific thing to effect and detour that type of decision," Williams said about if a certain team could make him stay in Southern Cal for another season. "It'd have to be a multitude of things to lead me to one side or the other."

There are simply many other ways to answer the question that ESPN asked Williams if he didn't want to talk about the draft, which makes it seem like the Trojans signal-caller is trying to gain leverage just in case a team he doesn't want to play for gets the No. 1 pick.

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