Caleb Williams 2024 Dynasty Rookie Profile
Caleb Williams 2024 Dynasty Rookie Profile
Position: QB
School: USC
Class: Junior
Date of Birth: November 18, 2001
Height: 6-1 Weight: 214 lbs
Athletic Testing
Bio
Growing up in Washington D.C., Caleb Williams went to Gonzaga College High School. While Williams was unable to play his senior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was still a two-time all-conference selection. He was named conference MVP as a junior, accumulating over 2,600 yards and 37 total touchdowns. Williams was a top-10 overall recruit in the 2021 class according to 247Sports (8th overall; 2nd QB). Williams was the prized signee to Oklahoma’s 6th ranked recruiting class.
Oklahoma
As a true freshman, Williams was initially a backup to redshirt sophomore Spencer Rattler. After struggles in the middle of the season, Williams took over starting duties. Williams started the last seven games, going 5-2 while throwing 1,598 yards and 19 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Williams added 293 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the starts. He was named a Freshman All-American. After his freshman season, Williams elected to enter the transfer portal, where he followed head coach Lincoln Riley to Southern California.
USC
Williams first season as a full time starter was nothing short of immaculate. Williams ranked 3rd in the nation in passing yards (4,537) and led the country with 42 passing touchdowns. His 52 total touchdowns also led the nation, on his way to a Heisman Trophy. His 382 rushing yards were the most by a USC quarterback. Williams became the first USC Trojan to win the award since Reggie Bush in 2005, the 7th in school history. USC went 11-1 in the regular season, but lost the Pac 12 Championship to Utah and lost in the Cotton Bowl to Tulane.
Under the bright lights after an incredible sophomore season, Williams and the Trojans took a slight step back. They went 7-5 with Williams as the starter, but Williams was still commendable. Without Jordan Addison, a first round pick to Minnesota, Williams still finished 11th in passing yards and tied for 9th in passing touchdowns in just 12 games.
College Stats
Caleb Williams College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference
Positives
+ Elite arm talent
+ Improvises well
+ Scrambling ability; ability to extend plays
+ Evades pressure
+ Ability to make throws from numerous angles
+ Ability to play out of structure
+ Maneuvers well when the pocket collapses
+ 33 career starts
+ 86.5 college QBR (91st percentile; Playerprofiler.com)
+ 9.2 YPA (81st percentile; playerprofiler.com)
Negatives
– Primarily played in shotgun
– Footwork could use some improvement
– Can rely too heavily on his athleticism to get out of trouble
– At times, can go for a big play rather than the easy play
Highlight Reel
Archetype: Dual Threat
Comparison: Aaron Rodgers
Yards Per-Formance Grade: 96.0 (100th percentile)
Draft Projection: 1st overall
Bottom Line:
Caleb Williams is one of the best prospects to come through in recent memory. Similar to Andrew Luck and Trevor Lawrence, he has been slotted into the first overall pick for the last two years. Williams has elite arm talent, both with arm strength and the angles he’s able to release the ball. When the pocket collapses, he does a good job of improvising; whether that is scrambling or using his legs to extend the play. His offensive line was not the best at USC, but Williams was still able to maneuver well and handle the pressure. There is no such thing as a ‘perfect prospect’, but Williams checks plenty of boxes for teams searching for their franchise quarterback.
There will be some things he can improve on. While it is common in the college game, almost all of Williams’ snaps were in the shotgun formation. Like most incoming rookie quarterbacks, Williams could use some improvement with his footwork. Williams big play capability can lead to overlooking the easy throw.
In your superflex dynasty rookie drafts, Caleb Williams will go first overall. At worse, he’ll go second if you happen to be depleted at receiver and stocked with two quarterbacks. In one quarterback dynasty rookie drafts, Williams will likely still be a top-5 selection.
NEXT: J.J. McCarthy 2024 Dynasty Rookie Profile
Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, PFN, PFF, TDN