NFL Scouts Compare Caleb Williams to 'Peak-Era' Aaron Rodgers over Patrick Mahomes
Oct 13, 2023
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans looks on during the first quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Teams off to a slow start to the 2023 NFL season have one thing to look forward to: next spring's draft.
That's when they could get a shot at projected No. 1 pick USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams, who one AFC regional scout described as a player similar to "peak-era Aaron Rodgers," according to ESPN's Matt Miller.
"To me, he's peak-era Aaron Rodgers," the scout said. "The way he moves in the pocket to create passing windows and then, boom, he's thrown a no-looker across his body or a deep ball that looked impossible."
Another AFC scout echoed that comparison, according to Miller.
"When everyone said Mahomes, I said young Aaron Rodgers," the other scout said. "Just Google 2008-2012 Rodgers highlights. It's awesome. And it looks just like Williams."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2A1hmpRxtg
Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to a 14-1 record in 2011 as he racked up a career-high 4,643 yards in a MVP season ranked by ESPN's Aaron Schatz as one of the best by a quarterback in the modern NFL.
Williams had a similarly historic Heisman Trophy campaign for USC in 2022, when he threw for a school-record 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns. Based on Williams' highlight-studded tape, scouts expect he will be able to recreate that success at the NFL level in the near future.
USC's Caleb Williams Hyped by NFL Exec: 'He's Head and Shoulders Above Everyone Else'
Oct 11, 2023
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans signals to teammates during the first quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and league executives believe there's no question that he's the best player available in the upcoming draft class.
"The tape is elite," a high-ranking NFC front-office person told The Athletic's Dan Pompei. "The game seems really slow for him. He can make every throw you'd ever want from the pocket and he can run if he needs to. What he does is rare, and he's head and shoulders above everyone else."
There has been speculation that Williams could return to USC in 2024 instead of declaring for the NFL draft after his father, Carl, indicated in a GQ Sports profile on the signal-caller that he could return to the Trojans if he doesn't like the team that lands the top pick.
"The funky thing about the NFL draft process is, he'd almost be better off not being drafted than being drafted first. The system is completely backwards," the elder Williams said. "The way the system is constructed, you go to the worst possible situation."
However, The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported last week that NFL executives still believe Williams will be in the NFL next season. They cited his "incredible leadership traits" and his lack of entitlement.
Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye are expected to be the top two quarterbacks taken in the 2024 draft, followed by a group that includes Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, LSU's Jayden Daniels, Texas' Quinn Ewers and Washington's Michael Penix Jr., among others.
The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner recently ranked the draft-eligible quarterbacks in tiers, with Williams and Maye ranked in tier one. McCarthy and Ewers were placed into tier two, Daniels and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders were ranked in tier three and Penix was among those to be ranked in tier four.
Williams was always pegged to be a high first-round draft pick, but he solidified himself as the presumptive No. 1 overall pick by winning the Heisman Trophy in 2022.
The 21-year-old is also off to a strong start in 2023, and he's once again among the top Heisman contenders. He has completed 71.7 percent of his passes for 1,822 yards and 22 touchdowns against one interception, in addition to rushing for 124 yards and six scores.
Whichever team lands the No. 1 overall pick will have the opportunity to select Williams, and right now there are several teams that could use a new signal-caller, such as the New England Patriots.
The Patriots selected Mac Jones in the first round of the 2021 draft, but he has struggled mightily this season, having tossed six interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns.
New England currently sits last in the AFC East with a 1-4 record and there's really not much hope among fans that they'll turn things around this year.
If the struggles continue, the Patriots could line themselves up to select Tom Brady's heir to the throne in Williams.
USC'S Lincoln Riley on Future: 'I Don't Want to Have Regrets When I'm Done'
Oct 11, 2023
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans looks on during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Lincoln Riley is relatively young when it comes to the world of head coaches in major college football, but the 40-year-old is still thinking about the future.
"I know right now, there are things I want to do," the USC head coach said, per Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times. "I don't want to have regrets when I'm done, at the end of my life. I do think about that. I just don't want to have regrets, especially with anything that has to do with my family. It's hard not to consider the possibility of starting over in life."
Riley conceded that he isn't sure how long he will coach and could walk away when he is 50 years old.
"Or who knows," he added. "Maybe I'll coach until I'm 65."
Kartje's story detailed how the deaths of Dave Nichol—a USC assistant coach and close friend—and Mike Leach—a mentor who helped him break into coaching—has changed Riley's perspective on life and coaching as a whole.
So did a video of family, friends, coaches and players offering him well wishes that his wife, Caitlin, gave him as a 40th birthday present.
"Not one of those videos was talking about winning games," Riley said.
That may be the case, but winning games is one of the things the head coach does best.
He went 55-10 with three College Football Playoff appearances and two Heisman Trophy winners (Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray) during his five seasons at Oklahoma. He then led USC to an 11-3 record in his first season with the Trojans in 2022, and quarterback Caleb Williams took home the Heisman Trophy.
USC is off to a 6-0 start this season, and Williams is on the short list of realistic Heisman Trophy contenders.
Yet Riley is missing that elusive national championship from his resume. It likely won't come this season either unless the Trojans defense takes a monumental step forward ahead of a daunting stretch of games that includes matchups with Notre Dame, Utah, Washington, Oregon and UCLA.
While failing to win a national title may be a regret down the line if he never accomplishes the task, he still has plenty of years left to chase one even if he does only coach until he's 50.
And even if he doesn't reach the sport's mountaintop, his recent comments suggest winning games isn't everything.
Lincoln Riley: A Lot of Teams Don't Win 3OT vs. Arizona Like Caleb Williams, USC Did
Oct 8, 2023
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans looks on during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
USC head coach Lincoln Riley tried to put a positive spin on his team needing three overtimes to put Arizona away in a 43-41 win Saturday at home.
"A lot of teams don't win this game going down 0-17," he told reporters.
"When you go down 17-0, you get tested internally," Riley added. "Your culture gets tested quick. Defense is what got us going."
Almost every national champion throughout history had a game or two in which it was far below its best yet came out on the losing end. Winning close games is often the sign of a true contender as well.
In the case of USC, though, its comeback Saturday night spoke to what were existing concerns around the team, questions that have arguably lingered over Riley's entire coaching career.
Riley is a brilliant mind, but his defenses have consistently left something to be desired. The trend is carrying on into 2023, with the Trojans allowing an average of 421.3 yards and 27 points per game.
How does USC believe this defense is remotely acceptable?
How has there not been a change yet? Last year? Last week? Right now?
The defense deserves some credit for improving in the second half.
Arizona only came away with a field goal from a 1st-and-10 at the USC 11-yard line early in the third quarter. In addition, the Wildcats offense stalled after crossing the 50 on what proved its final drive of regulation. Tyler Loop missed a 50-yard field goal attempt with 2:08 remaining.
Still, it's tough to square how dynamic USC is on offense with Caleb Williams and how middling it is on the other side of the ball.
How many 4-5 star recruits does the USC defense have? Is this a talent issue? Genuinely curious.
The gap between their offense and defense is hard to understand
Notre Dame, Utah, Washington, Oregon and UCLA all lay in wait for the Trojans. On the basis of what we've seen in the first half of the season, it's tough to see how they manage to come through unscathed from such a difficult stretch to close out the year.
NFL Execs Don't Think Caleb Williams Foregoes 2024 Draft to Return to USC
Oct 5, 2023
TEMPE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans warms up before NCAAF game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
NFL executives don't believe that USC star quarterback Caleb Williams would forego the 2024 draft to spend another year in college despite his status as an underclassman.
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, league executives believe that Williams is going to be playing on Sundays next season. They cited his strong leadership abilities, as well as his lack of entitlement.
This comes after a profile on Williams was published by GQ Sports on September 6th, where the top-ranked quarterback's father, Carl, discussed the lack of choice that comes with getting drafted.
"The funky thing about the NFL draft process is, he'd almost be better off not being drafted than being drafted first. The system is completely backwards," the elder Williams said. "The way the system is constructed, you go to the worst possible situation."
He went on to add, "He's got two shots at the apple. So if there's not a good situation, the truth is, he can come back to school."
Going back to college could be enticing for Williams, as he's still writing chapters in his storied career at USC. He was the Heisman Trophy winner last season at 20 years old, and he's currently the betting favorite to do it again this year.
Caleb Williams been about his business this season:
💼 24 total TDs (1st in nation) 💼 1,600+ pass YDs (6th in nation) 💼 1 INT 💼 USC off to a 5-0 record
This would put him in rare company, as Archie Griffin is the only player in NCAA history to ever win the award twice. The Ohio State running back achieved this feat in 1974 and 1975 when he rushed for at least 1,300 yards and four touchdowns in consecutive seasons.
An opportunity to compete for a potential third Heisman Trophy would be enticing, but Williams is already being discussed as the consensus number one overall pick in next April's draft.
It would be wise for him to become the face of an NFL franchise in 2024, and league executives seem to agree.
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Lincoln Riley: USC Will 'Own the Mistakes' After Win vs. Deion Sanders, Colorado
Oct 1, 2023
BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans gestures to a referee in the first half of a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 30, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
The USC Trojans may be 5-0 following a 48-41 victory over Colorado Saturday but head coach Lincoln Riley sees plenty of room for improvement.
The Trojans held a 34-14 lead at halftime but allowed the Buffaloes to have a fighting chance at evening up the score, with Colorado coming an onside kick recovery away from a chance to tie the game.
Riley said the second half performance of his team was an issue in all facets of the game and that his team will be prepared to learn from the miscues.
"We didn't play a very good second half really on any of the three sides," Riley said, per Paolo Uggetti of ESPN.com. "We're going to own the win, we're going to own the mistakes, we're going to own the good, we're going to go back to work."
There were certainly a lot of positives for the Trojans in the victory, especially on offense. The team produced 498 offensive yards and quarterback Caleb Williams had his best performance of the season. He threw for 403 yards and six touchdowns and 30-of-40 passing.
However, the offense failed to pull away from the Buffaloes in the second half, getting outscored 27-14 in the second half and 14-0 in the final quarter. Also, the defense surrendered 564 offensive yards, 32 first downs and nine third down conversions to the Buffaloes.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders carved up the Trojans for 371 yards and four touchdowns on 30-of-45 passing and USC also had six penalties for 53 yards.
The victory is significant, however USC will need to clean up aspects of its game in order to reach its true potential. This plagued the team in 2022 and made them fall short of the College Football Playoff despite a Heisman-worthy season from Williams.
Riley was quick to separate this year's team from last season, saying that the team has improved and that they rebound from adversity well.
"When something doesn't go our way, it doesn't look like last year. Not to the trained eye, not to a coach," Riley said, per Uggetti. "Now, we still got plenty to correct. There's a lot that's improved and we've obviously got to put it all together."
USC will look to clean things up before its next matchup against Arizona. After that game, the Trojans will take on Notre Dame in a highly-anticipated matchup.
Heisman Trophy 2023 Odds: Caleb Williams Becomes Favorite After USC Beats Colorado
Sep 30, 2023
BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans warms up before a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 30, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
History isn't on Caleb Williams' side, but the odds are as the USC star attempts to reclaim the Heisman Trophy.
Williams is now +200 at DraftKings Sportsbook to lift the trophy, further cementing his status as the early favorite. Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (+400) is the only contender whose close to Williams at the moment, while Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (+1000) are tied for third.
Williams' candidacy got a boost from the Trojans' 48-41 victory over Colorado on Saturday. Their starting signal-caller went 30-of-40 for 403 yards, six touchdowns and one interception.
One problem for past Heisman winners attempting a repeat bid is that they set the bar so high in the season when they received the honor. Not only did those players need to be just as good the following year, they basically needed to be better.
Lamar Jackson's production from 2016 to 2017 wasn't all that different, yet he went from first to third in the Heisman voting. Bryce Young didn't even finish in the top five in 2022 despite doing nearly as much with a worse supporting cast than he had in 2021.
Williams might prove to be an exception. Through five games, he has thrown for 1,603 yards along with 21 touchdowns to one interception, and the junior is completing 74.5 percent of his passes.
The meat of USC's schedule is still ahead. The Trojans host Arizona next week and then get No. 11 Notre Dame, No. 10 Utah, No. 7 Washington and No. 9 Oregon over a five-game span.
Willams will probably cool off a bit as the level of competition increases, but maintaining his present efficiency will almost certainly give him a landslide win in December.
Colorado's Deion Sanders Praises USC's Caleb Williams as 'Flat-Out Baller'
Sep 30, 2023
BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans warms up before a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 30, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is buying the hype on USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams and the Trojans put up 48 points on the Buffaloes and Sanders referred to Williams as a "flat-out baller" and a "difference maker" after the loss. He also said it was "fun for me" to go against Williams and USC head coach Lincoln Riley.
Deion Sanders on Caleb Williams: "That kid is a flat out baller. He’s a difference maker."
Said it was a pleasure to play against him and Lincoln Riley.
Williams went 30-of-40 for 403 yards and six touchdowns with one interceptions in the 48-41 victory and helped the No. 8 Trojans improve to 5-0 on the season.
Williams' excellence is nothing new, although receiving this level of praise from a Hall of Fame cornerback is surely a significant notch on the belt for the quarterback.
Williams is the reigning Heisman winner, threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns in 2022, and looks primed to have a similar performance this season. Through five games, Williams has thrown for 1,603 yards with 21 touchdowns and just the single interception that he threw Saturday.
His performance against the Buffaloes was his best statistically of the season and his Trojans appear to be a true threat to make the College Football Playoff. He is also widely considered to be in the running for the No. 1 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Until then, however, Williams will look to continue his solid play next week against Arizona before a major matchup with No. 11 Notre Dame will give him a significant test.
Caleb Williams Has Fans Eyeing Heisman Repeat After USC Beats Deion Sanders, Colorado
Sep 30, 2023
Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams warms up before an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Quarterback Caleb Williams turned in another dominant performance and further bolstered his Heisman Trophy candidacy Saturday in the No. 8 USC Trojans' 48-41 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado.
Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy last season and is the prohibitive favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL draft, threw at least three touchdowns for the seventh consecutive game on Saturday and finished with 403 yards, six touchdowns and one interception on 30-of-40 passing.
Legendary Ohio State running back Archie Griffin is the only player in college football history to win multiple Heisman Trophies, taking one of the most prestigious awards in sports in both 1974 and 1975.
Williams is seemingly well on his way to equaling that feat, and he received no shortage of support on social media for his bid to be the repeat Heisman Trophy winner:
Future 2-time Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams
While Colorado got off to a surprising 3-0 start this season on the strength of Deion Sanders' coaching and his son, Shedeur Sanders' play at quarterback, the Buffaloes' defense has been an Achilles heel.
That was the case last week when Colorado got blown out 42-6 on the road against Oregon, and Williams took full advantage of a struggling Buffs defense on Saturday as well.
In the first half alone, Williams lit up the Buffaloes for 260 yards and four touchdowns, including a 71-yard score to Tahj Washington, which showcased Williams' incredible ability to roll to his left and throw accurately down the field:
That's a throw Caleb Williams. Completely in control and poised as nothing was there, he continued to buy time and threw a dime to his right as he ran left. Impressive.
Williams also had an eight-yard touchdown pass to Dorian Singer, a 24-yard touchdown pass to Mario Williams and 26-yard touchdown pass to Brenden Rice:
Colorado made things interesting in the second half after trailing 34-14 at halftime by outscoring USC 27-14, but Williams did enough to put his team over the top.
Although he threw his first interception of the season, that was Williams' only major blemish, as he also threw a touchdown to Jude Wolfe and a second scoring strike to Rice, giving him six passing touchdowns for the game:
Williams' biggest Heisman Trophy competition seems to be another Pac-12 quarterback in Washington's Michael Penix Jr., who has been spectacular through four games this season.
Leading the No. 7 Huskies, who are 4-0, Penix has thrown for 1,636 yards, 16 touchdowns and two interceptions, and he will have a chance to keep pace with Williams Saturday night when Washington faces Arizona on the road.
By virtue of their win Saturday, the Trojans are 5-0 and remain firmly in the College Football Playoff race, while Colorado has now dropped to 3-2 with its second consecutive loss.
The Buffs will have a chance to get back on track next week when they go on the road to face Arizona State, while Williams will try to strengthen is Heisman case again next weekend at home against Arizona.
Caleb Williams, USC vs. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado to Be Scouted by 21 NFL Teams
Sep 30, 2023
TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 23: USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) warms up before the college football game between the USC Trojans and the Arizona State Sun Devils on September 23, 2023 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
When the No. 8 USC Trojans and reigning Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams clash with quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder, Colorado, on Saturday, most NFL teams will be well represented.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, 30 scouts from 21 different teams will be in attendance at Folsom Field.
Thamel noted that in addition to Williams being the favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL draft, scouts are "intrigued" with Sanders' hot start to the season.
After transferring from Oklahoma to USC prior to last season and following head coach Lincoln Riley, Williams enjoyed a spectacular campaign.
While the Trojans barely missed out on the College Football Playoff, Williams completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions, while also rushing for 382 yards and 10 scores.
In four games so far this season, Williams has USC off to a 4-0 start, and he has arguably been even better individually, completing 74.3 percent of his passing attempts for 1,200 yards, 15 touchdowns and no picks, along with 71 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
If Williams keeps up his current play, he could join legendary Ohio State running back Archie Griffin as only the second two-time Heisman Trophy winner in college football history.
Sanders is also in the Heisman race, as he has the Buffs off to a better-than-expected 3-1 start. He is also putting up big-time numbers in his own right.
The son of Hall of Fame cornerback and Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur is completing 76.9 percent of his passes for 1,410 yards, 11 touchdowns and just one interception. He has also rushed for a score.
Sanders' protection has been lacking and he doesn't have much of a running game to support him, which perhaps makes his success even more impressive.
Shedeur and the Buffaloes came back down to Earth last week after a 3-0 start, as they were thumped 42-6 by Oregon on the road, but a bounce back Saturday could go a long way toward getting them back on track for the remainder of the season.
As of now, Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye are widely considered the top two quarterbacks in the 2024 draft class, but if Sanders can go shot for shot with Williams on Saturday, he may put himself in that conversation, provided to decides to enter the draft.
