USC QB Caleb Williams: 5 Things to Know About Top NFL Draft Prospect

The 2023 college football season isn't going the way USC quarterback Caleb Williams hoped it would. The Trojans, who entered the season ranked No. 6 in the Associated Press poll, are 7-4 heading into their regular-season finale—losers of two in a row and already out of contention for both the Pac-12 title and a berth in the College Football Playoff.

But the reigning Heisman Trophy winner can give himself a birthday present with a win on Saturday. Williams turns 22 on the same day USC battles rival UCLA in the battle for L.A.

"It's always exciting for me to be in this game versus UCLA—[now] on my birthday," Williams told reporters this week. "Obviously, it does bring a little extra excitement just for myself. Just another game [though], trying to go through it all and do the things I've got to do to try and help this team win on Saturday."

This USC-UCLA game could mark Williams' final time donning a Trojans uniform if he opts to declare early for the 2024 NFL draft. The crosstown matchup between the Bruins (6-4) and Trojans is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and will air on ABC.

Here are five things to know about Williams ahead of what could be his last college game.

From Top Prospect to OU to USC

Williams, who hails from the Washington, D.C., area, was a two-time All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference selection and the Gatorade Football Player of the Year during his time at Gonzaga College High School.

As a junior, the signal-caller threw for 1,770 yards and 19 touchdowns while adding 838 yards and 18 scores on the ground. Williams did not play a senior high school season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was ranked as the nation's No. 1 player by SI All-American in 2020 and was a five-star prospect, according to 247Sports. Out of high school, the 6-foot-1 QB committed to play for coach Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma.

Williams eventually took over as the starter under center during his first collegiate season in Norman, Oklahoma, throwing for 21 touchdowns and running for six more on the year. And when Riley suddenly bolted to USC ahead of Williams' sophomore season, the QB followed.

Saturday's game could mark the end of the Riley-Williams coach-QB duo. That is if the latter decides to forgo USC's bowl game to prepare for the draft.

"I haven't thought about it that much," Riley told reporters while speaking of that looming decision this week. "Just kind of in the moment here for the opportunity. We haven't had any specific discussions toward it.... We've both just stayed hyper-focused on trying to do our jobs and be at our best and try to help us win a rivalry game this week."

Williams said earlier this week that he will take time with his family during Thanksgiving to determine his football future.

Potential Top Pick in 2024 NFL Draft

For well over a year now, Williams has widely been considered one of—if not the—best prospects in next year's NFL draft.

Assuming the junior declares, which is all but a certainty, he would likely hear his name called among the first one or two picks. Many experts rank Williams as the top quarterback and overall prospect for the 2024 draft, including ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. The longtime draft guru still has Williams as his No. 1 player in an updated big board released Friday. Williams came in just ahead of North Carolina QB Drake Maye, who other analysts believe has jumped to the top spot.

"Caleb has a chance to be one of the higher-rated quarterbacks I've had when we are all the way finished with the process—in that No. 5-10 group," Kiper recently told the New York Post. "Drake will be just slightly below, if you go by today. There's not a huge gap there."

Outside 2023 Heisman Trophy Race

The odds of Williams becoming only the second two-time Heisman Trophy winner are slim.

Williams earned college football's most prestigious honor last season after accounting for 52 total touchdowns and leading the Trojans to an 11-1 regular-season record. But four losses in USC's last five games have all but bounced Williams from this year's race. DraftKings Sportsbook gives the junior +20000 odds to win this year's Heisman, tied with two other quarterbacks for the 11th-best odds in the nation.

Not that the 22-year-old is light on accolades. Along with earning Heisman recognition last year, Williams received the Walter Camp, Maxwell and AP Player of the Year honors, among a variety of other awards.

Williams holds the USC single-season records for total offense (4,919 yards), most touchdowns scored rushing and passing (52), passing completions (333), passes attempted (500), most passing yards gained (4,537), most touchdown passes thrown (42), most rushing and passing plays (613), lowest rate of interceptions (1 percent, five in 500 attempts) and highest passing efficiency rating (168.5)

NIL Valuation Among Nation's Highest

Few college athletes have benefited from the ability to profit off of their name, image and likeness more than Williams. The USC quarterback has an NIL value of $2.8 million, according to On3, which updates its metrics weekly.

That figure was established by On3's valuation formula, which looks at an athlete's brand value and roster value by taking into account performance, influence and exposure. Williams ranks fifth in On3's NIL 100, trailing only Bronny James, Shedeur Sanders, Livvy Dunne and Arch Manning.

Founded the Caleb Cares Foundation

Williams goes by the nickname "Superman."

But the Heisman Trophy winner believes a person doesn't have to be a superhero to do some good. The signal-caller is the founder of the Caleb Cares Foundation, which focuses on such causes as anti-bullying, mental health awareness and youth development.

"I created [the] Caleb Cares Foundation for those kids who are suffering because they don't fit in," a quote from Williams on the foundation's website reads. "Fitting in means you're not standing out. Greatness is formed in our differences. What makes you different today will propel you into tomorrow."

Williams, who has made headlines for painting his fingernails before games, has also brought attention to suicide prevention awareness by displaying the lifeline number on his fingers.