Caleb Williams has gone from five-star recruit to No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick.
Williams, who began his career in 2021 at Oklahoma before transferring with head coach Lincoln Riley to USC where he won the Heisman Trophy, will begin his NFL career with the Chicago Bears who selected the Trojans quarterback first overall on Thursday.
Williams captured college football’s top prize in 2022 after throwing for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns, which led the sport, to five interceptions at a 66.7% completion rate. He also led the NCAA with an average of 22.3 points responsible for per game. The Washington, D.C. native earned First Team All-America honors.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, among those sitting in the Bears war room at the draft included Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus and former Big Ten Conference commissioner Kevin Warren.
Williams embraced NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he walked onto the draft stage shortly after his name was called with the No. 1 overall pick.
Williams departs college football holding a handful of USC program records, including the single-season highs of 4,919 yards of total offense and 42 touchdown passes thrown.
Williams opted not to throw at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Instead, Williams said it was “a team decision” not to participate and he took part in USC’s Pro Day on March 20.
Williams departs USC and college football holding the Trojans single-season record with 4,919 yards of total offense, 52 touchdowns scored rushing and passing, 333 passing completions, 500 passes attempted, 4,537 passing arcs gained, 42 touchdown passes thrown, 613 rushing and passing plays, a 1% interception rate and 168.5 passing efficiency rating.
At Oklahoma in 2021, Williams threw for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns to four interceptions with a 64.5% completion rate. He was named a True Freshman All-American by several outlets.
