USC quarterback Caleb Williams expects to play in Cotton Bowl after hamstring injury

The last time Caleb Williams was in front of camera, he was accepting the Heisman Trophy. A week prior, he was limping his way through the Pac-12 Championship game, as USC fell to Utah and ended its chances of making the College Football Playoff.

USC will have to settle for the Cotton Bowl, where Tulane will be the opponent. Williams is still dealing with a hamstring problem from the early December matchup. If there were any questions he was going to miss the Trojans’ bowl game, the Heisman Trophy-winner put them to bed on Thursday.

“I’m doing well,” Williams said. “Hamstring is doing well. And I am confident that I will be out there.”

Williams was able to play against Utah with the injury — one head coach Lincoln Riley described as “significant.” There was never a thought to take a snap off from Williams either, playing until the clock ran out in Las Vegas.

A mentality such as that one is why Williams won college football’s most prestigious individual award. Having jaw-dropping numbers doesn’t hurt either, especially when they show dual-threat ability. Williams threw for 4,075 yards, 37 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. On the ground, the former On300 No. 1 overall player had 372 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Williams will be hoping he can add to the stat line on Jan. 2 inside AT&T Stadium. Of course, he will be returning the Los Angeles next season for his junior season with bigger aspirations. But one way to kick of 2023 in a positive trend is by getting a Cotton Bowl win over Tulane.

Mike Bohn explains why Caleb Williams winning the Heisman is big deal for USC

Caleb Williams winning the Heisman Trophy wasn’t just big for him as a player, but the USC Trojans as a whole.

After the star quarterback was named the best player in all of college football, USC athletics director Mike Bohn explained why Williams capturing the accolade was big for the entire program.

“I am so impressed by Lincoln and Caleb, that’s what they’ve talked about. They talked about the entire institution. They talked about the fact that it’s our award. When Caleb talks, he’s just so genuine in how he talks about that,” stated Bohn. “So when he’s talking about that, he’s talking about each one of you.

“He’s talking about anybody that’s played here. He’s talking about his teammates, the staff, the institution, our alumni. Everybody that partners in that. That’s what was so special. The way he really captivated every single person.”