Two USC Trojans Among PFF's Top 50 College Players
Pro Football Focus released its list of the top 50 players in college football. Two USC Trojans landed among the top 50.
Caleb Williams
Quarterback Caleb Williams is on the list as the No. 1 player in college football. Truly, these lists all start at No. 2, as Williams should be locked into that spot every time something like this it put together heading into the 2023 college football season. According to PFF, Williams was the highest-graded quarterback in college football in 2022. And taking into account the 2021 and 2022 seasons, only Alabama’s Bryce Young earned a higher PFF grade than Williams.
The USC quarterback is back on campus with a chance to become just the second player ever to win two Heisman Trophy awards. But more importantly for Williams, he’s back at USC with an opportunity to reach the College Football Playoff for the first time in his college career.
Williams already holds the USC single-season records for total offense, most total touchdowns, most passing touchdowns, most passing yards, most completions, most passing attempts, highest pass efficiency rating and lowest interception rate. He also set the single-game record for most total yards with 503 against UCLA.
He should lead an absolutely explosive USC offensive attack in 2023. The Trojans lost their leading receiver, rusher and three starting offensive linemen but reloaded in all three areas via the transfer portal and 2023 recruiting class.
Calen Bullock
USC safety Calen Bullock is on the list at No. 24 overall and the top-ranked safety. PFF was very high on Bullock last season, naming him a first-team All-American. He graded out as the No. 3 safety in the nation according to PFF’s win-above-average metric. And the seven interceptions he’s recorded the past two seasons are tied for the most among returning safeties.
Bullock will be seen as a veteran leader of the defense in 2023. He’s played in 26 games with 14 starts in his two-year career. He’s firmly established as a potential early draft pick in 2024. And Bullock is one of the most athletic safeties in the nation. It’ll be interesting to see if he can step up his game as a physical presence in the secondary. There were some yards after catch and contact that he could have limited last season. It does look like Bullock has put in the work in the weight room over the offseason.
Expectations are clearly high for Bullock in 2023 and he has the talent to meet them. A dominant player in the secondary will be a huge key for a USC defense that has to face a number of really good quarterbacks and strong passing offenses this fall.
