USC quarterback Caleb Williams declares for 2024 NFL Draft

USC quarterback Caleb Williams has made his decision on the 2024 NFL draft. Williams is declaring for the draft and turning pro, per Pete Thamel.

It’s no surprise that Williams is turning pro as he is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL draft.

Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley also offered a hint recently, announcing that Caleb Williams would not play in the Holiday Bowl against Louisville.

Caleb Williams is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, despite not having the junior season that most expected him to.

Williams passed for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns, with five interceptions this season. He added 11 rushing touchdowns.

Those numbers are obviously excellent, but they do not rival last year’s stats when Williams won the Heisman after passing for more than 4,500 yards and 42 touchdowns.

Without Caleb Williams, USC will have its work cut out for it against a Louisville team that reached the ACC Championship Game this season. USC enters the Holiday Bowl with a 7-5 record, while Louisville is 10-3.

Prior to coming to USC, Williams started his career at Oklahoma. During the 2021 season, he passed for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns, while playing a limited number of snaps.

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.