Caleb Williams continues to clearly lead all prospects eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft

Alex Kay (Bleacher Report) — Caleb Williams is the type of quarterback teams dream about and would gladly mortgage the farm to acquire. ESPN’s Jordan Reid theorized that several teams punted on taking a passer in 2023 as they were eyeing Williams as their future quarterback. ESPN’s Matt Miller concurred, noting that “so many scouts are already enamored” with the USC product.

It’s not difficult to see why Williams is already emerging as the consensus No. 1 overall pick in 2024. He began his collegiate career as a backup but played his way onto the field for Oklahoma as a freshman in 2021. He connected on 136 of 211 throws for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns with just four interceptions that year.

Those numbers improved markedly after he transferred to USC along with head coach/QB Whisperer Lincoln Riley for the 2022 campaign. Williams went 333-of-500 on his passing attempts for a borderline absurd 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns against five interceptions in his first Pac-12 season.

While Williams isn’t sized like a prototypical pro-style quarterback at 6’1″, 215 pounds, there should be no concerns about his arm strength after reviewing the tape. He’s able to make all the throws and has little trouble putting them on target, even when his feet aren’t set or he’s off-balance with defenders draped on him.

He has a knack for theatrics and has consistently created big plays in key moments, making him the type of passer a team could rally behind.

Williams can use his legs to both extend plays and create offense at will. While he’s not a run-first quarterback, he’s already tallied up 824 yards and 16 scores on 192 carries in his first two seasons. Even after suffering a serious hamstring injury in the Pac-12 title game, the Heisman winner showed his resilience by returning in time for the Trojans’ Cotton Bowl appearance just over one month later.

His intelligence, decision-making and leadership are all intangible qualities that make him a great player and will translate to the next level.

Williams is already close to a lock to be the first player drafted in 2024, especially with Riley’s history of QB development, and he has a great career in front of him regardless of where he lands.

bleacherreport.com

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