Mike Bohn reveals how Caleb Williams represented USC like no one ever has before at Heisman ceremony

As he watched Caleb Williams accept the Heisman Trophy on Saturday, USC athletic director Mike Bohn felt pride for how the quarterback represented the program. Coming off a 4-8 finish a year ago, this season was already a special one for the Trojans, who went 10-2 under first-year coach Lincoln Riley.

Then Williams’ name was called at the Heisman ceremony, and it became even greater. Williams became USC’s first Heisman winner since 2005, and his winning of the award was a message of how far the program has come in just one year.

As Bohn watched Williams give his acceptance speech, he couldn’t help but notice the respect from both the media and former Heisman winners in attendance.

“Lincoln Riley and Caleb and certainly the eight offensive linemen that he brought to New York with him put on a representation of USC like you’ve never seen before,” Bohn said. “To watch 23 former Heisman Trophy candidates, physically you could see it in their faces respond to Caleb’s speech and what he talks about and how he engages with them and their respect for Lincoln. You can just feel this sense of stature and sense of respect from all those people and obviously from Chris Fowler, Rece (Davis) and Holly Rowe. All your national college football experts. It was just really surreal. I’m not trying to overstate it. It was.

“From that setting there overlooking the city to the live band to a room where you can just cut the emotion and pride like a knife. You could. The way that Caleb saluted those other three finalists talking about them playing in the CFP, that’s brilliant. That is incredible. I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to go to the White House twice with national championship teams. I always thought that was pretty special. It’s not even close. To watch what Lincoln and Caleb and those eight offensive linemen did to represent USC, our program, our city, our institution was beyond impressive.”

Williams finished this season with 4,075 yards passing, 372 yards rushing, 47 total touchdowns and four interceptions. Although USC fell short of the College Football Playoff this season, the Trojans will have at least one more chance with Riley and Williams this season.

They will close out this year in the Cotton Bowl against Tulane on Jan. 2.

Caleb Williams’ Heisman speech

USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams is a Heisman Trophy winner. The most prestigious individual award in college football, Williams will now join an exclusive fraternity thanks to his unreal 2022 season in Los Angeles. Winning comfortably over the other three candidates, it’s a special moment for everyone involved.

Arguably even more special is the moment after the winner is announced. Heisman Trophy-winning speeches can be emotional ones and Williams was no different. Talking through his life, the 2022 season, and journey toward being on stage Saturday night was an inspirational one.

Family, head coach Lincoln Riley, and old coaches all got shoutouts from Williams. You could see and hear the emotion coming from Williams’ speech throughout the entire speech.

You can watch the full speech here.