Los Angeles, California – USC quarterback Caleb Williams has announced that he will enter the 2024 NFL draft, revealing his decision on social media on Monday, which happened to be the final day for underclassmen to declare. This declaration solidifies his position as the favored choice for the number one pick in the draft. Williams’ decision brings attention to an offseason dilemma for the Chicago Bears, who must decide whether to keep Justin Fields or trade him in order to potentially build around Williams.
Williams’ decision to enter the draft was not unexpected, as it had been apparent since the conclusion of USC’s disappointing 2023 season that he would wait until the last possible day to make his decision, following a similar pattern to last year’s decision by C.J. Stroud. Scouts and executives, when polled by ESPN, unanimously agreed that Williams is the likely top pick in the draft, with one veteran scout stating, “I’d be shocked if he wasn’t [the first pick]. He’s the best player at the most important position.”
Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 and had another strong season in 2023 despite USC’s drop in performance, has consistently demonstrated his talent and skill as a quarterback. Over his three seasons, he achieved a total of 93 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions, and 10,082 passing yards. Additionally, Williams recorded 21 rushing touchdowns during his time at USC.
The debate among scouting circles is not whether Williams will be the top pick, but rather whether he is a once-in-a-decade talent or a generational one. His ability to throw from various angles, his improvisational skills, and his agility make him an intriguing prospect. In fact, Williams has executed 10 games throughout his career where he has been responsible for five or more touchdowns, a statistic rivaling only Patrick Mahomes in the College Football Playoff era.
Although Williams and Drake Maye, the former North Carolina quarterback, were projected as the top two picks in the draft at the beginning of the season, LSU’s Jayden Daniels has also entered the conversation with an outstanding Heisman Trophy-winning performance in 2023. With the expectation that quarterbacks will once again be chosen in the top two spots, the 2024 draft is set to be heavily influenced by the Bears’ decision regarding the first pick.
The upcoming months will be marked by anticipation as teams and fans alike eagerly await the outcome of the draft and the impact Williams will have on the league.