The USC Trojans poor season may have major ramifications for the 2024 draft with quarterback Caleb Williams reconsidering throwing his name in the hat.
Williams, last year"s Heisman Trophy winner was the presumptive 2024 number one pick, but a 7-5 season and no playoffs may mean another year at college.
"I’ve never been in this situation, where I’m 7-5 and there are no playoff hopes at the end of the season," Williams said.
"I’m dealing with it emotionally, dealing with it spiritually and physically. It’s been one of the most important years I think I’ve had. It’s tricky.
Williams took plenty of stick when he cried in front of his mother in the stands after their loss to Washington in early November.
I’ve had to have talks with [USC head coach] Lincoln [Riley] — because obviously I haven’t been through it — or with my family members or people like that, just how to deal with this and lead, how to stay the same person I was before the season or after our first loss or second loss.
"So, it was different. It was a learning process," he concluded.
This season Williams had a better passing percentage, 68.6 versus shade over 66% in 2002, but has thrown for only 3,683 yards compared to his Heisman year of 4,537.
He is still one of the best college quarterbacks, but he wants to go high in the draft, as close to number one, and the season with the Trojans may mean he is overlooked altogether in the first round, an inconceivable notion a few months back.
