Caleb Williams talks upcoming decision on bowl game
USC quarterback Caleb Williams is focused on Saturday’s rivalry game against the UCLA Bruins. But it’s also fair to wonder if this is the final time the Heisman Trophy winner will take the field in cardinal and gold. Williams would be eligible to enter the 2024 NFL Draft and has been discussed for over a year as the likely No. 1 overall pick. And recently, it’s become practically industry standard for projected top picks to sit out bowl games that don’t have national championship implications.
Williams was asked specifically about his bowl game plans following USC’s Wednesday practice. At this point, there’s no announcement from him on whether he will participate or not and he said a decision on whether to come back to USC for a third season hasn’t been made yet. He will have an extra week to decide his future plans and said he will be able to discuss his future with his family around Thanksgiving. He said if he elects to stay at USC, he doesn’t see why he wouldn’t play in the bowl game.
Certainly, the expectation is for Williams to declare for the NFL Draft and not play in what might be a Alamo Bowl, Holiday Bowl or Las Vegas Bowl appearance for the Trojans.
Williams was also asked about continuing to play this season when the Trojans were eliminated from National Championship contention. The (admittedly ridiculous) idea of the quarterback sitting out the rest of the season following a loss to Utah was circulated on social media. Williams was asked Wednesday about not going that route.
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“Just the nature of how I was raised and being around these guys all year round,” Williams said. “I work out with them. We run, lift, we go out, have fun together, we enjoy each other’s presence. It means the world to me to be able to end this season off, this regular season, being with these guys.”
Williams said “leaving these guys behind” was never part of his thought process during the year.
In just two seasons, Williams has firmly planted himself inside the Top-10 of a number of USC career records. He enters the UCLA game No. 7 all-time at USC in passing yards, with 7,786, and No. 6 in total yards. Williams No. 5 in passing touchdowns and will move into a tie with Carson Palmer if he throws one against UCLA.
