Brenden Rice labels Caleb Williams as a magician

USC wide receiver Brenden Rice wouldn’t want anybody but Caleb Williams leading the Trojans offense — not exactly a bold proclamation with the reigning Heisman winner under center. And entering a second season together at USC, Rice is excited about the growing connection he and Williams will have.

The stuff that Williams can do consistently leaves Rice impressed. There’s an almost sleight-of-hand quality to the way Williams can let a play unwind before him only to deliver an unorthodox — and devastating — throw down the field.

“This dude is a magician. I’ve seen him roll out, cross-body 40 yards down the field. His work ethic matches everything he wants to do on that field. He’s a great leader, vocal, and I wouldn’t follow anybody else. It’s a privilege,” Rice said.

Rice described it as he and Williams chasing a connection similar to that of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, who played at LSU before reuniting on the Cincinnati Bengals. And the Trojans wide receiver would know about quarterback-wideout synergy, as his dad, Jerry Rice, had a famously productive connection with Joe Montana in the NFL.

If Rice and Williams can reach a mind-meld similar to that of Burrow and Chase or other famous quarterback-receiver duos, the USC offense could ascend to a new level.

“And then just to go out there and work with him time and time again, it really builds that chemistry and builds what we want to do on that field with that Ja’Marr Chase and that Joe Burrow relationship,” Rice said.

Williams is hopeful for a special year at USC in 2023

Williams opened his media availability on Wednesday by talking about what this campaign could represent for himself and his program. He said it’s nothing against last year’s team but that this year’s version already feels similar if not better.

“Going in year three? It’s pretty special,” Williams said. “We’ve got a special team this year. It was a special team last year. But, this year, it’s a special year for myself and for this team.”

Special is one of the right words to use when you consider what 2022 was in Hollywood for Riley, Williams, and the Trojans. They went 11-3 by posting the third-best offense in the nation and reached the Pac-12 Championship while also being a win in that game away from making the College Football Playoff.

Williams himself was also spectacular en route to winning the Heisman Trophy, USC’s eighth in the history of their program. His numbers from the year, which included over 4,500 passing yards and 42 touchdowns, have solidified him as the sport’s best quarterback and one of its best players, if not the best.