Joel Klatt addresses Caleb Williams' comments about playing for USC for two more years

USC QB Caleb Williams will now be our second straight Heisman to return to college football next season. The sophomore star for the Trojans just leaped to superstardom this season as evidenced by this weekend. Now he is but a season away from potentially making a jump to the NFL. However, how realistic is it that Williams could stay a full four years in college?

Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt says not so fast. Although Williams hinted at it during the Heisman Ceremony and his NIL money would make it a more difficult decision, Klatt says he doesn’t think the Trojan QB would pass up on earning the contract owed to a first pick in the NFL Draft.

“You talk with people around the NFL and they are drooling over Caleb Williams,” said Klatt. “Whether it’s next year and he was even teasing to Chris Fowler like, ‘Maybe two more years’. I don’t know how much money you’re making. But it probably is going to pale in comparison to what a first draft pick is going to get. But he’s doing just fine.”

“I think Caleb Williams might entertain it, but probably not in terms of staying two more years,” Klatt said.

On3’s NIL valuation for Williams has risen all the way up to $3.2 million. That number has increased by 26% in the last week alone between him winning the Heisman Trophy and signing a pair of deals with Athletic Brewing Company and Celsius. That has helped Williams now become the No. 5 player overall in the NIL 100. When it comes to college football, he is now the No. 2 overall ranked player when it comes to NIL.

Still, considering Trevor Lawrence and Travon Walker are each making over $9 million annually as the last two No. 1 picks in the NFL Draft, Williams could cash in big in 2024. Things could change and he may feel the draw to stay with Lincoln Riley at USC but, in the end, Klatt believes the NFL money will win out over NIL cash when it comes to Williams.