Jerry Rice's Son Brenden Says He, Caleb Williams Could be Tom Brady, Gronk for Bears
Apr 24, 2024
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Brenden Rice #2 and Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans stand on the sideline during their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
USC wide receiver Brenden Rice made a hard sell on why he should join Caleb Williams on whatever NFL team takes the Trojans quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft.
Rice, who's father is NFL legend Jerry Rice, told TMZ Sports he and Williams could be as effective together as Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski were with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
To explain his case, the 6'2" wideout said he has strong on-field chemistry with Williams, and he believes "it just would be like USC times two because now we don't have classes we gotta worry about or all this outside distractions."
In terms of raw production, the tandem of Rice and Williams didn't exactly jump off the page. The former caught 84 passes for 1,402 yards and 16 touchdowns in their two years together.
Rice isn't regarded as one of the top receivers in a loaded class, either. He's the No. 103 overall prospect and ranks 20th at his position in Bleacher Report's final big board.
"Rice can be a solid vertical X receiver in the NFL," B/R scout Derrik Klassen wrote to close out his scouting report. "He has the size, strength and explosive movement skills to do so. With that said, Rice still needs to learn to wield his strength more efficiently."
Granted, neither Brady nor Gronk was considered a can't-miss talent when they entered the NFL. Brady famously fell to the sixth round in 2000, while Gronkowski was a second-rounder in 2010.
Williams is widely expected to go first overall to the Chicago Bears on Thursday. Considering the Bears already had DJ Moore before acquiring Keenan Allen this offseason, they may have bumped wideout down their list of draft priorities.
Rice's dream of reuniting with his USC teammate will in all likelihood have to be put on hold.
USC's Riley: Miller Moss Leads Jayden Maiava in QB Battle to Replace Caleb Williams
Apr 20, 2024
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 27: Miller Moss #7 of the USC Trojans looks to the sideline in the second half during the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl game against the Louisville Cardinals at Petco Park on December 27, 2023 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
USC has big shoes to fill at quarterback with Caleb Williams departing, and the Trojans got a little closer to figuring out who the starter will be after their spring game on Saturday.
USC looked to returners Miller Moss and Jake Jenson along with UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava at quarterback during Saturday's game. Afterward, head coach Lincoln Riley said Moss leads the battle to be the starter, but Maiava is improving.
Lincoln Riley says there is no question that Miller Moss is the leader in terms of starting QB. Maiava is rapidly improving, but if the season started today, Moss would be the starter.@LAFBNetwork | @USC_LAFB
Lincoln Riley said, on a postgame question from @Ryan_Kartje, that if USC had to name a starting QB today, it’d be Miller Moss. Said Jayden Maiava was “improving rapidly” but Moss is “certainly ahead right now.”
Riley with high praise for Miller Moss despite the interceptions that he threw today. Also mentions that one of the things he was most impressed about him from the Holiday Bowl was how he bounced back after his interception.
Last year, Moss had 681 passing yards, seven touchdowns and an interception in four appearances. He was the starter in the Trojans' Holiday Bowl matchup against Louisville, notching 372 passing yards, six touchdowns and an interception in a dominant 42-28 win.
In Saturday's spring game, Moss threw a pair of interceptions, but each quarterback that saw action also had an interception. Overall, it was still an impressive day for him.
Maiava, who played just one season at UNLV before transferring, had 3,085 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2023. While he may not be the starter at the moment, a big summer could lead to him taking the role from Moss before the season begins. He showed some flashes on Saturday in the spring game.
Whoever Riley decides to go with at quarterback will have a tall task following in the footsteps of the Heisman Trophy winner Williams. Perhaps Williams' success over the last two seasons will serve as motivation for Moss and Maiava.
Caleb Williams Wants to 'Chase' Tom Brady's Legacy amid 2024 NFL Draft, Bears Rumors
Apr 19, 2024
Los Angeles, California March 20, 2024- USA quarterback Caleb Williams during USC Pro Day in Los Angeles Wednesday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Caleb Williams is gearing up to begin his NFL career, and he, like many other quarterbacks, wants to follow in the footsteps of the GOAT.
In an appearance on The Pivot on Friday, Williams said he wants to "chase" Tom Brady's legacy.
"I want to play in one place for 20 years and chase one guy, No. 12," Williams said (2 minute mark). "I want a place that loves ball. That's all I've heard about Chicago so far."
With the 1st pick of the 2024 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears select…
Only six sleeps away from hearing those famous words and we are sitting with the one man whose name is likely to complete that statement.
Reaching the same heights as Brady would be a tall task, but Williams certainly has the chance to have an outstanding NFL career.
In his final season at USC, Williams had 3,633 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions. In his Heisman Trophy-winning 2022 season, he had 4,537 passing yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Bleacher Report's Scouting Department considers Williams to be the No. 4 overall prospect and the No. 2 quarterback in this year's draft class. He is expected to be drafted by the Chicago Bears with the top pick in next week's NFL draft.
Given the hype leading up to the draft, Williams will have high expectations in his first NFL season, but he's played at an extremely high level the past two seasons and is looking to translate his collegiate success to the pro level.
He is setting high expectations for his career by chasing Brady, but that could be the mindset he needs.
NFL Scout: Caleb Williams Most Likely Player in This Class to Become a Hall of Famer
Apr 17, 2024
Los Angeles, California March 20, 2024- USA quarterback Caleb Williams during USC Pro Day in Los Angeles Wednesday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The 2024 NFL Draft won't take place until next week, but one scout already has his eyes on prospective top pick Caleb Williams for eventual enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"Caleb is the most likely player in this class to become a Hall of Famer," the scout said, per ESPN's Matt Miller. "That's the dude I want."
The consensus by draft analysts, including the B/R NFL Scouting Department, is that Williams will be selected by the Chicago Bears with the No. 1 overall pick.
The former USC quarterback will enter the draft after a historic 2022 Heisman Trophy campaign, during which he set single-season records for the Trojans in total offense (4,919 yards) and touchdowns scored (52).
Although his production decreased slightly in 2023 as USC struggled, Williams' passing accuracy rose to a career-high 68.6 percent during his final season as a Trojan.
He finished his college career with more than 10,000 passing yards in 37 career games.
Those two seasons at USC have scouts excited to see Williams make the jump to the NFL.
B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen described Williams as a playmaker with impressive accuracy with the chops to succeed in the NFL if he improves his timing on routes.
The scout who spoke to Miller believes making those adjustments could lead Williams to begin a Hall of Fame career when he likely joins the Bears next week.
Solomon Byrd NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for USC EDGE
Apr 13, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Solomon Byrd #51 of the USC Trojans rushes the edge during a game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 11, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'3"
WEIGHT: 255
HAND: 9¾"
ARM: 33⅝"
WINGSPAN: 79⅞"
40-YARD DASH: 5.01
3-CONE: 7.52
SHUTTLE: 4.59
VERTICAL: 32"
BROAD: 9'6"
POSITIVES
— Good size and build with decent arm length.
— Shows the play strength and violence to shed blocks as a run defender, especially against tight ends.
— Has a couple of solid pass-rush moves he can win with—a long arm and an inside spin.
— Hustle player who will factor into gang tackles down the field and has a high pass-rush motor.
— Subpar get-off, can be late to react to the snap, and lacks explosion off the line of scrimmage, as evidenced by his 1.84-second 10-yard split time.
— Has a habit of standing up out of his stance and playing with high pad level, leading to issues holding his ground or setting the edge versus offensive tackles.
— Subpar accuracy with his hands as a pass-rusher on finesse moves. Often misses and lets offensive linemen into his body and will get ridden by.
Solomon Byrd's poor athletic testing numbers likely did no favors to his draft stock. He does show a little more play speed and athleticism on the field than his RAS score would suggest, but not enough to ignore the well below-average figures he logged.
Ultimately, Byrd's game is rooted in power and he has the potential to become a solid rotational defensive lineman with his size, play strength and build. It's just a matter of how much his lack of athletic ability will hold him back in the NFL.
Tahj Washington NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for USC WR
Apr 11, 2024
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 27: USC Trojans wide receiver Tahj Washington (16) runs with the ball after a catch during the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl football game between the Louisville Cardinals and the USC Trojans on December 27th, 2023, at Petco Park in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Justin Fine/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 5'10"
WEIGHT: 174
HAND: 8⅜"
ARM: 29⅛"
WINGSPAN: 70"
40-YARD DASH: 4.52
3-CONE: 6.84
SHUTTLE: 4.22
VERTICAL: 35"
BROAD: 10'2"
POSITIVES
— Very good acceleration and speed. Has a threatening top gear, but can also throttle up and down with ease.
— Twitchy player in space. Quick, controlled and explosive footwork. More than equipped to make defenders miss.
— Above-average YAC threat. Primarily wins with his speed and ability to change directions.
— Does well to track and snag throws outside his frame. Doesn't look like he's straining to find the ball.
NEGATIVES
— Terribly small frame in every way. Hard to imagine him playing any snaps outside in the NFL.
— Poor play strength. Regularly bullied at the top of routes or at the catch point.
— Flashed impressive route-running at times, but was largely used as a gadget and underneath player. Will likely be the same in the NFL.
— Likely will not be able to win in traffic or in the air in the NFL at all.
2023 STATISTICS
— 13 GM, 59 REC, 1,062 YDS (18.0 AVG), 8 TD
NOTES
— Born May 16, 2001
— 3-star recruit in Memphis' 2019 class, per 247Sports
— Transferred from Memphis to USC in 2021
— 45 career starts
— Attended 2024 Shrine Bowl
OVERALL
Tahj Washington is a rail-thin slot receiver with all the burst and twitchiness in the world.
Washington is quick as a wink. Often deployed on screens, flat routes and other simple yards-after-the-catch-earning designs, Washington carved defenses to bits with his short-area burst and change of direction. He plays with tight, controlled feet and is explosive as all get out when he commits to a direction.
Washington also has impressive ability to control his speed. He can throttle down a bit to gauge his surroundings and put the pressure on an incoming tackler before making a quick move and instantly jumping back up to top speed. Washington's YAC skills are devastating, especially on the perimeter.
There's also a little more to Washington as a receiver than meets the eye. Though you will never see him win the ball in the air, Washington is a natural pass-catcher with throws outside his frame. He finds the ball easily and snaps his hands right to the ball with confidence.
With that said, Washington's size alone makes him a niche player who must live in the slot. Washington struggles to beat press and cannot earn himself space with push-offs at the top of routes. He's also never going to be a ball-winner.
In turn, Washington will be relegated to gadget work and straight-line routes that unlock his speed, such as crossers at all depths of the field.
There is a role for Washington in the NFL. Players with his immediate speed, change of direction and YAC skills tend to get snaps. However, Washington may struggle to ever consistently crack a starting lineup due to his size and limitations.
Brenden Rice NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for USC WR
Apr 10, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Brenden Rice #2 of the USC Trojans runs the ball after a catch to score a touchdown during the first half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'2"
WEIGHT: 208
HAND: 9⅝"
ARM: 33"
WINGSPAN: 78"
40-YARD DASH: 4.50
3-CONE: 6.94
SHUTTLE: 4.32
VERTICAL: 36.5"
BROAD: 9'11"
POSITIVES
— Good acceleration and burst. Powerful strider as he comes off the line.
— Good stop/start ability, primarily as a route-runner. Can throttle down to make a cut and explode back out.
— Above-average YAC threat. Wins with strength and adequate speed.
— Strong, physical player at the top of routes. Can throw DBs off and buy himself space.
— High-effort blocker with the frame and strength to be effective.
NEGATIVES
— Below-average lateral explosion. Struggles to make cuts in space or get width in his stems when necessary.
— Has the strength to win the ball in the air, but needs to more consistently attack the ball and take initiative.
— Needs cleaner technique to beat press. Sometimes wins with power, but too often plays with hands out of control. Doesn't effectively use hands to swipe at DBs.
Brenden Rice is an explosive vertical receiver with good size and tantalizing yards-after-the-catch ability.
A two-year starter at USC, Rice was largely used on the vertical axis. He played on the outside and ran a flurry of go routes, posts, curls, hitches and comebacks, all of which directly used his speed or made use of his speed as a threat.
To that point, Rice's acceleration is his major weapon. He erupts off the line of scrimmage and puts defensive backs on skates immediately. Rice brings the fight to them in a hurry. Given his thick frame and physical play style, Rice is tough to deal with when he's just flying like that.
On the routes that require him to throttle down and snap it off, Rice shows the explosive ability and control to do so. Those curls and comebacks are no problem for him. Better yet, Rice's physicality and strength help him get a little extra push off and space at the top of those kinds of routes.
Rice is tough with the ball in his hands as well. He can break off explosive plays, but most of his value is in the first few yards after the catch. Rice's explosion and tough, thick frame make him tough to bring down straight away.
Rice is far from perfect, though. For one, he lacks lateral burst. Rice can struggle to widen his routes when necessary, and he isn't the type of player to make a huge lateral cut in space to make someone miss.
Rice also needs to channel his strength better. At the line of scrimmage, he too often plays with flailing arms rather than with controlled, concise swipes to keep DBs off him. Rice also needs to attack the ball more aggressively at the catch point at times and really take advantage of his strength.
Rice can be a solid vertical X receiver in the NFL. He has the size, strength and explosive movement skills to do so. With that said, Rice still needs to learn to wield his strength more efficiently.
GRADE: 6.8 (Potential Role Player/Contributor — 4th Round)
5-Star DT Justus Terry Commits to USC, Lincoln Riley after Flipping from Georgia
Mar 24, 2024
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 09: A USC Trojans helmet on the field before the college football game between the USC Trojans and the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 9, 2019 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
USC landed a major commitment from one of the best defensive prospects in the nation.
Class of 2025 5-star defensive tackle Justus Terry flipped his commitment from Georgia to the Trojans on Sunday, per ESPN's Tom VanHaaren. Terry is ranked as the No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 8 overall player in 247Sports' composite.
Terry had been committed to the Bulldogs since January 2023 before flipping his commitment. VanHaaren noted that the hiring of defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn and defensive line coach Eric Henderson by USC head coach Lincoln Riley was a major factor in landing Terry, as "both coaches played a role" in getting him to flip.
A 6'5", 270-pound recruit out of Manchester (Georgia) High School, Terry was described as a "potential bully in the middle" who "should be viewed as a possible impact player for a College Football Playoff contender with his tools" by 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins. It was also noted that Terry has "NFL upside" and "could be molded into a variety of different things at the next level and already has experience setting up in a variety of alignments."
Riley has been focused on improving the defensive side of the ball after the Trojans ranked 119th in the nation with 432.8 yards allowed per game. The staff has signed 12 defensive prospects in the 2024 class and now landed a potential star in the 2025 class with Terry's commitment.
Terry is now USC's second 5-star 2025 recruit, joining quarterback Julian Lewis, who is ranked as the No. 2 signal-caller in the class.
Report: Caleb Williams Made Around $10M from NIL Deals in Final 2 Seasons at USC
Feb 28, 2024
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 27: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans celebrates after defeating the Louisville Cardinals during the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl at Petco Park on December 27, 2023, in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
As USC star quarterback Caleb Williams gears up for the 2024 NFL draft, he reportedly will be entering the league with a large chunk of change already in his pockets.
Kalyn Kahler of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that "between NIL money and endorsements, Caleb made millions in his final two seasons at USC, with multiple sources putting the number around $10 million."
Kahler noted that Williams "signed endorsement deals with Dr. Pepper, Nissan, Wendy's and others, so he already had a business team assembled, including a team of attorneys who will handle his NFL playing contract." It was reported last week that Williams will not hire an agent for the NFL draft, as his experience at USC has already prepared him for life at the professional level.
"It wasn't like having a college quarterback on your roster," a source close to USC said of Williams. "It was like having an NFL starting quarterback on your roster."
Williams has long been considered a lock to be selected with the No. 1 pick in this year's draft. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner is regarded as a generational prospect who can be a cornerstone for any franchise.
The Chicago Bears own the No. 1 pick thanks to last year's trade with the Carolina Panthers, and they still have to make a decision as to whether they will keep incumbent quarterback Justin Fields or draft their signal-caller of the future.
Williams recently told ESPN's Pete Thamel that he's not too concerned about where he lands in the NFL, saying, "If I get drafted by the Bears, I'll be excited. If they trade the pick, and I get drafted by someone else, I'm just as excited."
Wherever he ends up, it's clear that Williams will not be a typical rookie quarterback in the NFL, both on and off the field.
Lincoln Riley Wants USC to Follow Michigan's Model, Rely Less on Transfer Portal
Feb 18, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans during the first half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
USC head coach Lincoln Riley believes improving the continuity within the roster is the best way forward for the program to achieve its lofty long-term goals.
The Athletic's Antonio Morales wrote that Riley "wants to emulate Michigan's build," which means more emphasis on player development and less of a focus on the transfer portal.
"The only way that model works — you go get the best developers of talent, and you give the best high school players a reason for why they would want to sign with USC," Riley said.
He added that Michigan "did it the right way" with how it constructed a national championship winner.
Riley wanted to spark an immediate turnaround, particularly on offense, when he first joined the Trojans.
USC ranked No. 1 in 247Sports' team rankings for the 2022 transfer portal. Caleb Williams, Jordan Addison, Mario Williams and Travis Dye were among the headliners who made their way to Los Angeles.
The gambit paid off as the Trojans were one win away from making the College Football Playoff, a massive improvement from going 4-8 in 2021.
The trouble with leaning heavily on the portal is that a coaching staff can find itself in an annual cycle of turning over the roster because upperclassmen move on. Riley and his staff have learned the hard way the portal can cut both ways as well.
USC had the No. 8-ranked group in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2023 class. Quarterback Malachi Nelson, one of the crown jewels, has already transferred to Boise State, and he's not the only notable recruit who has bid adieu with college eligibility remaining.
To Riley's point, Michigan didn't reach the top of college football by beating every rival school on the recruiting trail. Here's where the Wolverines ranked from 2020 to 2023: 10th, 13th, ninth and 17th.
Former head coach Jim Harbaugh consistently attracted talent to Ann Arbor, Michigan, but what put the team over the top was having an experienced squad all pulling in the same direction.
Given Riley's sizable salary, Trojans fans aren't wrong for expecting results. Going 8-5 when you have the reigning Heisman Trophy winner isn't going to cut it.
But Riley is equally justified in preaching a level of patience.
