Desmond Howard makes the case for Caleb Williams as the next back-to-back Heisman Trophy winner

Does USC QB Caleb Williams have what it takes to make history as only the second two-time winner of the Heisman Trophy? ESPN’s Desmond Howard says that, while it will be very difficult, he does.

Howard joined ‘Get Up’ on Friday morning and addressed Williams’ odds of repeating during his preview of the upcoming college football season. As far as solely from a talent standpoint, Howard said he obviously has a shot to do it considering he also compared him to one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.

“He has the talent to do it. I mean this kid, when you watch him play? He reminds you of a Patrick Mahomes-type guy,” said Howard. “Great angles with his throws, he can change arm angles. He’s great off-platform and with impromptu plays.”

However, his key issue is that Williams has yet another year of collegiate football under his belt. That might be positive experience for Williams but, to Howard, it’s also another year for teams to accumulate film and notes on him. Add in the Heisman on his resume and Howard knows that he will be priority No. 1 for every single defense that he faces this fall.

“There’s such a huge target on his back now. Don’t forget. Now that he’s won the Heisman? He can make everybody seize the meaning to beat USC or to just shut him down,” Howard said. “So now there’s going to be a tremendous effort to stop him every time he steps on the field. Defensive coordinators? They have much more game film, they know how they want to use him in the USC offense.”

There’s a reason that Archie Griffin is the only two-time winner and consecutive winner of the Heisman Trophy. It’s tough enough to post similar, if not better, statistics with the extra eyes on you considering your recognition as the sport’s best player.

Still, considering his talent and skillset, Howard believes Williams will have a legitimate chance to return to New York later this year and might end up being the one to do it.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge this year for him to win the second Heisman Trophy. But if there’s anybody who could do it? It’s that young man right there in Caleb Williams,” Howard stated.

Williams looking forward to a ‘special year’ at USC

USC had an excellent season last fall in Lincoln Riley’s first year in Los Angeles. As he also enters his second year with the Trojans, QB Caleb Williams expects nothing less than a special run.

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,” said Williams. “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 and the Trojans. Williams himself was also spectacular en route to winning the Heisman Trophy, USC’s eighth in the history of their program.

Riley feels like this year’s roster already has a different vibe to it as well. Now, after coming up short come the postseason, Williams wants this run to be significant based on what they accomplish compared to what they left on the table a year ago.