Caleb Williams tabbed as most can't-miss prospect since Trevor Lawrence, Andrew Luck
The hype surrounding USC quarterback Caleb Williams is high, seeing that it would be hard to find just about anyone who doesn’t think he’ll be the surefire No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft. But how much of a can’t miss prospect is the Trojans quarterback?
That’s exactly what the hosts of Barstool Sports’ ‘Pardon My Take’ podcast recently asked On3’s Andy Staples ahead of Williams’ Week 5 matchup against Colorado.
“The most can’t miss since Trevor Lawrence or Andrew Luck, because the man makes magic,” Staples said. “And the things that he can do that are magical are not things you can’t do in the NFL. You’ll see quarterbacks in college who do amazing things, but you’re like oh the first time he gets hit by NFL players he’s gonna break in half.
The numbers and accolades speak for themselves when talking about the latest can’t miss quarterback prospect, who took home the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Award last season after throwing for 4,537 yards and a nation-leading 42 touchdown passes along with 10 rushing touchdowns.
He was the model of efficiency as well, completing 66.6% of his passes and throwing just five interceptions last season, which he’s built on already this year completing 74.3% of his passes and not throwing a single interception through four weeks.
And of course he passes the eye test, making dazzling plays every Saturday with his arm and legs that have drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and having many think he’s even in an incomparable league of his own.
“Caleb Williams is an eyes down field, the things I do that are magic are in service of throwing the ball down the field,” Staples said. “Very similar [to Patrick Mahomes], different arm angles, that sort of thing.”
There’s no doubt that Williams checks just about all the boxes you’d want in an NFL quarterback prospect, and has maybe even created some new boxes. But what may be his best trait is his instincts and ability to combine his generational level of talent with a high football IQ and feel for the game, creating plays that have been rarely seen before if at all.
“When Caleb was a freshman against Oklahoma that game against Kansas where there’s the fourth down play and his back’s got the ball but he’s not to the line to gain yet and Caleb just steals it from him,” Staples said. “Like he just has these instincts that nobody else has.”
From Williams’ fourth down play early in his career to his fumble-turned 76-yard touchdown pass this season, there’s no denying he’s special. Not only making the best quarterback prospect in quite some time, but one that could have the NFL’s worst teams already considering what they could do to have next year’s No. 1 overall pick.