Caleb Williams shares what he sees in UCLA DBs

While a shootout type of game is probably the most likely result when USC and UCLA get together on Saturday in the Rose Bowl, Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams is still paying plenty of respect to the Bruins group of defensive backs.

From rangy corners to solid safety play, Williams had good things to say about the UCLA defensive backs.

“They got a couple good guys over there,” Williams said. “[Devin Kirkwood] is a solid player, he’s proven that. [Jaylin Davies] — they’ve got a couple safeties over there that are pretty good. I think the other corner is [John Humphrey], I believe. [Humphrey] is a tall, rangy guy. He’s like 6’2, long arms, can run. [Kirkwood], he’s one of the better DBs that we’re going to play this season and [Davies], he’s done a good job. I think [Kirkwood] has been out the past couple weeks and he’s done a good filling in for him.”

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

Kirkwood missed UCLA’s most recent game, a loss to Arizona, as Williams noted. Davies, a true freshman, has been a bright spot and is tied for the team lead with two interceptions for the Bruins this season. Humphrey hasn’t popped on the stat sheet, but he’s got the length and speed that make throwing his way a challenge.

And while USC surely has a quarterback and wideouts capable of beating the Bruins, Williams is prepped for a challenge.

“So yeah, they got a good group of guys over there at DB and it’s going to be fun to go against them,” Williams said.

Williams is treating the UCLA game like any other contest

Aside from being quite aesthetically pleasing due to both teams wearing their home uniforms, the annually Los Angeles showdown between USC and UCLA hasn’t been a particularly noteworthy rivalry of late. And for first-time entrant Williams, it doesn’t seem to be that big a deal.

Most years in recent memory, one or both of the squads have entered the contest in poor form — it’s been rare to have the high-level bout of Top 15 teams set for Saturday. For Williams, the sophomore transfer quarterback for USC, it’s just game No. 11.

“Treating it like another game, just like any other game we have been in,” Williams said. “I’ve been in other big rivalry games so far in my career so, treating it like another game.”