Caleb Williams: Lincoln Riley Makes Shocking Claim, Says Star QB Leaving for NFL ‘Is a Positive’
Caleb Williams has been the face of the USC Trojans for the past two seasons, ever since he followed his coach, Lincoln Riley, from Oklahoma to Los Angeles. Williams quickly became one of the most talked-about players in college football and, in his first season at USC, achieved nearly every possible accolade.
The dual-threat QB became USC’s eighth Heisman Trophy winner, taking home the 88th Heisman Memorial Trophy after a stellar sophomore season. He also won the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards and was named the 2022 AP Player of the Year.
The 6-foot-1 Williams, who transferred to USC as a sophomore, threw for 4,075 yards on 296-of-448 passing (66.1%) with a national co-leading 37 touchdown passes against just four interceptions. His passing yards ranked fourth nationally, his quarterback rating (167.94) was fifth-best, and his passing yards per game (313.5) were sixth-best.
Williams joined USC’s previous Heisman winners, including Reggie Bush (2005), Matt Leinart (2004), Carson Palmer (2002), Marcus Allen (1981), Charles White (1979), O.J. Simpson (1968), and Mike Garrett (1965). He finished the 2022 regular season third nationally in total offense with 4,447 yards, breaking USC’s school record (4,225 in 2017). He also rushed for 372 yards on 109 carries with a team-best 10 TDs. Williams’ 47 total touchdowns led the country, as did his 282 points responsible for, setting a school record. He threw for over 300 yards seven times, including twice over 400 yards.
USC ended the year with an 11-3 record, narrowly missing out on the College Football Playoff. Williams completed his first season at USC in record-setting fashion at the Cotton Bowl Classic, throwing for 462 yards and five TDs — both bowl game records — in a tough 46-45 loss to Tulane.
Despite a step back in 2023, with the team finishing 8-5, Williams still put up impressive numbers: 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. When the NFL Draft came around in April, there was no doubt that the Chicago Bears would select him first overall.
One might assume Riley would be concerned about a significant drop-off after losing a quarterback many experts label as a “generational talent,” but the USC head coach has a surprising perspective.
Lincoln Riley Thinks Caleb Williams Leaving USC Can Be a Positive for Trojans
In a recent interview on Big Ten Today, Riley addressed Williams’ departure and offered an unexpected take.
“It honestly can be a positive,” Riley said. “Tennessee won their first championship here in the modern era the year after Peyton Manning left. A lot gets made of it because when you have a player that wins some awards or does some of the great things like others that we’ve had have done, and like Caleb did for us, there becomes from the outside so much attention on that one player. But it’s still a team game, and it’s still the other 21 guys that are starting on either side of the ball, the special teams, the depth of your roster — all of those things are ultimately what wins.”
Caleb Williams’ replacement for the upcoming season looks to be Miller Moss, a redshirt junior who has mostly served as a backup during his three years at USC. However, he impressed in the Trojans’ bowl game against Louisville this past season.
Riley emphasized his confidence in the team without their recent star QB.
“Sure, it’s great to have those guys, but we’re doing a lot of building,” Riley said. “Guys that we’ve lost that have been No. 1 overall picks or won the Heisman or whatever it was, there’s always been that sentiment of, ‘Oh my God. How are you going to survive next year?’ And we’ve tended to do okay, so I think we will again.”
The Trojans are looking forward to the 2024-2025 season with optimism, ready to prove they can thrive even after losing a player of Williams’ caliber.
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