Joel Klatt weighs in on impact of Caleb Williams transferring to USC
It wasn’t a shock to many when star quarterback Caleb Williams officially announced his transfer to USC on Tuesday, but it ended the highly-followed saga of where he’d be playing next season. Rejoining forces with his former head coach from Oklahoma in Lincoln Riley, Williams brings plenty of talent and experience to the table in Los Angeles.
While Williams’ news on Tuesday went viral all over social media, many media personalities shared their thoughts on the quarterback’s decision – including FOX Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt, who is a fan of the move.
“With Caleb Williams at QB @USC_FB will likely be a top 10 team and a solid dark horse pick for the CFP in 2022…,” Klatt wrote on Twitter. “CFB has desperately needed west coast/Pac 12 relevance and it seems we now have it! @LincolnRiley“
With Williams now in the fold, Riley has a USC team that should be capable of making a run to the College Football Playoff in 2022. Although he has yet to coach a game with the Trojans, it’s no secret that Riley likes who he has on his roster heading into next season.
Mario Williams reacts to news of Caleb Williams to USC
Perhaps no one is more excited that Caleb Williams is heading to USC than his former teammate Mario Williams. The quarterback-wide receiver duo are members of the same 2021 signing class and they committed to Lincoln Riley just two months apart two years ago.
“Now just watch this,” Mario Williams tweeted with the sunglass-wearing smiling emoji after Caleb’s announcement. The post includes a photo of the two former Sooners in front of the Coliseum.
Mario announced his transfer from OU to USC last month, and now Caleb is joining him in Los Angeles for 2022 and beyond.
Caleb Williams opened the 2021 season at Oklahoma, sitting behind former Heisman favorite Spencer Rattler on the depth chart. In the Red River Rivalry against Texas, Williams saw his first significant action, leading the Sooners to a 21-point comeback. The starting job belonged to him ever since.
As a true freshman in 2021, Williams threw for 1,912 yards and four interceptions, accumulating 27 total touchdowns. Now, he will look to build upon his electric start to his career alongside Lincoln Riley and Mario Williams once again.
On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this report.