USC quarterback Caleb Williams declares for NFL Draft

USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy his sophomore year, has declared for the NFL Draft after three collegiate seasons.

Williams joined the Trojans in 2022, when the team hired Lincoln Riley as head coach following his successful tenure at the University of Oklahoma. Williams had played one season under Riley when the move was made, prompting his decision to transfer to USC and follow the man who recruited him out of high school. 

The potential No. 1 overall pick announced his plans on Instagram early Monday. 

"To my coaches and everyone else in the USC football ecosystem, thank you for your unmatched support and commitment to helping me and the entire team be the best we could be," Williams' post read in part. "To my family, friends, and mentors: your love, your guidance, and your willingness to push me to reach my potential, not only as a football player but as a man, has led me to this day, and I am eternally thankful to each of you."

In two seasons with USC, Williams led the Trojans to an 18-8 record with 7,870 yards through the air and 72 passing touchdowns to go with 21 rushing scores. Over the course of his entire collegiate career, Williams threw for 10,082 yards with 93 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions, paired with 996 rushing yards and 27 scores. 

Williams excelled in his first campaign at the helm of the USC offense, leading the team to an 11-2 regular season record and eventually taking home the Heisman Trophy over Ohio State's C.J. Stroud and TCU's Max Duggan and Georgia's Stetson Bennett. He set USC records for total touchdowns (47) and total yards (4,447) on the year, becoming the first Trojan to take home the award since Reggie Bush did so in 2005. 

Ultimately, the Trojans fell to the Utah Utes in the Pac-12 Championship Game, and thus ended up in the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic, which they lost in the final seconds of play, 46-45 to the Tulane Green Wave. 

His second season was less explosive, but still impressive, as he cemented his spot as one of the nation's finest all-around quarterbacks. A lackluster defense resulted in an underwhelming 8-5 record overall. 

Draft analysts remain split on whether the will be the No.1 overall pick, which currently sits with the Chicago Bears. However, there is no debate as to whether or not he has enough athletic ability to compete in the NFL.