Bruce Feldman would be shocked if Caleb Williams comes back to USC

The expectation has been that, at some point or another, USC QB Caleb Williams will be a No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. That’s why, with speculation regarding a potential return to college swirling, Bruce Feldman went ahead and put those to bed.

Feldman spoke about the draft conversation around Williams’ decision during ‘The Rich Eisen Show’ on Wednesday. He said he’d be stunned if Williams decided to return to the collegiate ranks for next season, especially with how the Trojans finished their season.

“I’ll be shocked if he ends up staying at USC right now or staying in college football – period,” said Feldman.

“Again, I don’t know how he and his dad – his dad is helping manage him through this. I mean USC, right now, is in, certainly, a state of flux,” Feldman continued. “I mean, at this point? Like, you start your clock in terms of as a draft pick. If you delay it another year? I think, ultimately, it’s like, ‘Okay, are you that leery of who is going to take you?'”

Delaying that draft entry is even more risky in Feldman’s opinion because of Williams’ style of play. He’s a solid player in that regard but, with it only taking one snap for an injury alter his career, Feldman doesn’t see a reason as to why he’d take that risk.

“The other thing with Caleb too? I know he’s sturdy, it’s he’s not like a Bryce Young-size. But you run around, you take a lot of hits. You’re going to have another year of that risk where it’s a career-altering injury? You’re going to risk that to stay in college another year?” asked Feldman. “That would really surprise me. That’s a position where a lot of guys do not make it through a regular season that way.”

Over the last two seasons in Los Angeles, Williams has thrown for over 8,100 yards, 72 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on a 67.6% completion rate. He became the next quarterback sensation under Lincoln Riley, even to the point of winning the Heisman Trophy. In that time since, it has been hard to find a mock draft, scout, or analyst that hasn’t projected him to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Williams very well may surprise us with a return to college next fall. For Feldman, though, he’ll believe it when he sees it as his full expectations is that he’ll be a pro next season.