Caleb Williams still coming to grips with being a Heisman Trophy winner

Ryan Kartje (LA Times)  —  From the moment he lifted the iconic trophy last Saturday night, Caleb Williams hasn’t had much time to let the reality of his Heisman win sink in, let alone get the sleep he so desperately needs.

USC’s star quarterback — and the school’s record eighth Heisman winner — has been running on fumes from that night’s adrenaline rush. And there was no respite once he returned from New York. Not even winning the most coveted award in all of college sports could get Williams out of finals, for which he spent all of Monday through Wednesday this week cramming.

“To be in that moment, no matter how much sleep I had,” Williams said, “I was really grateful.”

The experience was made all the more memorable, he said, by the presence of his USC offensive linemen, eight of whom he’d arranged to accompany him to the ceremony in New York. After the presentation, the group gathered to celebrate in a penthouse suite gifted by the Heisman Trust.

“We just sat back and laughed and spent some good quality time together,” Williams said. “We were all just enjoying the moment. Mainly because of where USC has come from these past couple years. It’s been pretty tough, and most of those O-linemen have been through that. Being able to enjoy the moment with them … it meant a lot to have them there.”

Williams might not have much longer to play with most of his starting line. Center Brett Neilon, who suffered an injury in the Pac-12 title game, has played his last down at USC. Offensive tackle Bobby Haskins and guard Andrew Vorhees have exhausted their eligibility, and guard Justin Dedich could opt to move on after five seasons at USC.

USC coach Lincoln Riley said he was uncertain about Williams’ status for the Cotton Bowl after he suffered a “significant” hamstring injury in the Pac-12 title game against Utah. But the quarterback reiterated Thursday that he planned to play against Tulane on Jan. 2.

“Hamstring is doing well,” he said, “and I am confident that I’ll be out there.”

His hamstring has held up through one busy weekend already. After the late-night celebration in his suite, Williams was whisked off to “Good Morning America” for a 7 a.m. interview. Then, there was “SportsCenter.” And an NFL pregame show. And that night, the Heisman gala, where he was officially welcomed to the award’s fraternity as its 88th member.

By the time he made it to his flight, he was more than ready for four precious hours of sleep.

But with the whirlwind of the last week now behind him, Williams was already thinking about a return trip, when he spoke to reporters in Los Angeles on Thursday.

“Next year, I’m gonna work harder,” Williams said. “I’m gonna do more, mentally and physically when I’m out there. And I’ll be back in New York and hopefully win a national championship next year.”

He still has to find a permanent place for the first trophy. Right now, it’s just sitting in the dining area of his campus apartment.

“It’s probably the coolest centerpiece you can have,” Williams said with a smile.

latimes.com

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