JD PicKell: USC will 'always' have a chance with Caleb Williams at quarterback

From the day he stepped on campus as a highly touted recruit at Oklahoma, it was clear Caleb Williams was a difference-maker at quarterback. Then came the breakout year of all breakout years in 2022 after following Lincoln Riley to USC, winning the Heisman Trophy as a true sophomore.

Williams’ ability to make big plays — both with his arms and his legs — makes him a headache for opposing defenses. He was a major reason USC was able to finish 11-3 in 2022 and helped the Trojans to the No. 3-ranked total offense in the country.

Even despite some struggles on defense as USC allowed 423.9 yards per game, Williams kept the Trojans in games. That’s why On3’s J.D. PicKell said USC will have a chance to be in every game and become a College Football Playoff contender once again.

“Here’s the whole thesis I have on Caleb Williams,” PicKell said on The Hard Count. “USC, this is the year they’re going to try and make another College Football Playoff run. They tried to make a run last year, came up short a little bit on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t fault Caleb Williams for what they didn’t achieve last year. But when I watch Caleb Williams, when I watch USC, USC will always have a chance with Caleb Williams on the field. And for that reason, I wholeheartedly believe USC is a College Football Playoff contender. Why? Because Caleb Williams, any field he walks on to — no matter if it’s the Coliseum, it doesn’t matter if it’s in Eugene, Oregon, it doesn’t matter if it’s somewhere in the College Football Playoff — he is the best player on the field period. Mic drop. The end.

“And when you have a player like Caleb Williams, when you have someone who is a game-breaker like that, who can just take over with his legs or with his arm, USC’s gonna have a chance now in every single game. I don’t care what the defense isn’t doing. I don’t care the way they’re reloading other positions. With Caleb Williams on the field, you will always have a chance. And that’s not to say you don’t still need the defense to do their part to win a national title. You don’t still need these other positions to step up. But with Caleb Williams on the field, they will always have a chance.”

Williams’ numbers last season were staggering. He not only threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns, but also ran for 382 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. He’s seen as the virtual consensus way-too-early No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and is in prime position to make a run at the Heisman once again.

USC will open the 2023 season San Jose State Aug. 26.