Stat Cat: How much separation there is between Caleb Williams, rest of college football

In just his second season at the college level, USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams was able to secure the Heisman Trophy. And for most people’s money, he’s the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But how big is the gap in talent between Williams and On3’s college football expert Stat Cat’s top ten players of the upcoming season?

According to him, while making his first appearance on The Hard Count with J.D PicKell, there is a huge gap between Williams and the rest of the college football field except for one other player.

“We’re in May here, and we’re already talking about the top quarterback conversation,” said Stat Cat. “You can look at there are two different styles of passers here. You have a very polished guy from the pocket in Drake Maye—a very beautiful downfield thrower. And then you have one of these guys who seems to excel when things break down, where the NFL is trying to go with these playmakers in Mr. Heisman Caleb Williams. So, for me, it’s just a matter of preference. But there’s no doubt about it; those are the top two returning players in college football this next season.”

Williams’ put up huge numbers last season. He threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns and showcased his dual-threat ability by rushing for 382 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s seen as the virtual consensus way-too-early No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But before he declares for the draft, Williams could add to his college hardware, earning a few more awards and possibly ending his time at USC as a back-to-back Heisman Trophy winner.

Maye had an impressive 2022 too

While he didn’t make it to the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York to end the season, Maye had a remarkable season at North Carolina in his own right. He led the Tar Heels to a 9-3 regular season, clinching a Coastal Division title and is set to take on Clemson this weekend for the ACC Championship. Under Maye’s leadership, the legacy gunslinger led the country in individual total offense.

On the season, Maye has thrown for 3,847 yards and 35 touchdowns, with 629 yards rushing and six more scores. Throughout the season, he was named ACC Player of the Week a conference-high six times, along with being named the ACC Rookie of the Week five times.

Stat Cat has a point; when it comes to Maye versus Williams, right now, it’s whatever you taste in quarterback is. But when the dust settles, fans shouldn’t be surprised if either one finishes next season as the best player in college football.