While he likely will be the top overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, USC Trojans superstar Caleb Williams continues to give the school and their fan base hope of a stunning return to the program next year.
After a strong showing in 2022 where the team ended the year with an 11-3 record, there was a lot of hope that the Trojans could be a serious National Championship contender this year. That unique opportunity was also a key part of quarterback Caleb Williams’ excitement to lead the offense again in 2023.
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However, despite having a reigning Heisman Trophy winner on the roster, USC disappointed with a 7-5 record in head coach Lincoln Riley’s second season. Their defense struggled mightly by giving up forty or more points on five occasions, and they lost every single matchup to a ranked team this year.
One would assume with the program regressing in 2023, there would be no better time than now for Williams to finally make his long-awaited jump to the next level. For several years he has been viewed as an elite prospect in the sport and many NFL analysts feel he has “can’t miss” potential in the NFL. However, entering the 2024 draft is apparently far from a guarantee.
Caleb Williams is still shockingly undecided on 2024 plans
In a Tuesday chat with the LA Times, Williams claimed declaring for April’s event by the January 15 deadline is surprisingly still “a game-time decision” in his mind with USC’s season officially over.
“I’ve never been in this situation, where I’m 7-5 and there are no playoff hopes at the end of the season. I’m dealing with it emotionally, dealing with it spiritually, and physically. It’s been one of the most important years I think I’ve had. It’s tricky. I’ve had to have talks with Lincoln [Riley] — because obviously, I haven’t been through it — or with my family members or people like that, just how to deal with this and lead, how to stay the same person I was before the season or after our first loss or second loss.”
– Caleb Williams
Obviously, Williams is still processing the frustration of the Trojans season in 2023 and has not yet really thought about that big step to the NFL. It has been reported in the past that Williams would delay entering the draft if he did not like the potential options at the top of the event.
Furthermore, Caleb Williams is doing very well for himself in the current NIL market and the need to make the move for financial purposes is not as important for him at the moment as other collegiate athletes.