Caleb Williams addresses controversial nail polish message

Throughout his collegiate career, Caleb Williams has expressed himself on the field through his phenomenal play, but also through his nails.

Williams hasn’t been shy about writing messages on his nails for the biggest games he’s played in, and he did so once again during the PAC-12 Championship Game, writing “F— UTAH” as he prepared for the biggest game of his season.

While it didn’t go the way Williams planned, he explained why he does it, stating that it’s just another way to get his personality out there.

“You get to express yourself,” answered Williams. “I really only do it on game days. I’m going to see big events, which this is one of the largest events, so I knew that I was going to be wearing a lot of suits and everything like that, so I wanted to just go a little more classy, get some clear coat over it and rock that. It’s just a way to express yourself. There’s no hate. All love.

“It’s like when people write things on their wristbands or their tape or anything like that, their shirt under the jersey. There’s nothing too deep to it. Respect all the guys we’re playing against and going out there against. It’s just something I’ve done since high school, so.”

No harm, no foul, but Williams’ opponents love the motivation it gives them when they see it. Still, the USC star is borderline unstoppable, so he can write whatever he wants on his nails.

Caleb Williams shared his thoughts on a special 2022 season

Continuing, Williams took some time to speak with ESPN about how much it meant to him to be named the best all-around player in college football by winning the Maxwell Award.

“It for sure means a lot to me,” Williams said. “As an athlete and I work so hard, to be the best player — that’s what you try to achieve every single day. You get up and go work out or in the film room, out on the field with your teammates. You want to be your best. So, to be named Maxwell Award winner, it for sure means a lot,” the USC Trojans star said.

He then described the best moment this season that represents his relationship with his teammates.

“There’s been a couple and I will give you three off the top of my head,” Williams said. “The Oregon State game, offense wasn’t playing too well, and the defense kept fighting for us. At the end of the game, we throw a game-winner. Defense sticks it out. UCLA game was a back-and-forth battle, and we had the defense’s back. And at the end, they stuck it out again. Did what they do best.”

“And then, Notre Dame. Notre Dame is probably the top one for me just because something my teammates said was…Andrew Vorhees, he asked us to raise our hands to the team. To anyone that has beaten Notre Dame in the last five years, six years, anyone on the team that’s been here. And nobody raised their hands. So, to be able to go out there, and trying to get that win vs. Notre Dame and do it in good fashion, it meant a lot to me. And that was probably number one for me,” Williams said.

Williams dazzled as a true sophomore for the Trojans. He set USC single-season records for total touchdowns (47) and total offensive yards (4,447). Williams also ran for 372 rushing yards–the most for a USC quarterback in the past 70 years. We’ll see if he can add to his trophy case this weekend with the most prestigious individual award in college football.

On3’s Wade Peery contributed to this article.