Just about everyone agrees that Caleb Williams, the dynamo quarterback from the University of Southern California, will be the first player chosen in the NFL Draft later this month.
That No. 1 pick is held by the Chicago Bears, a long-suffering franchise that suddenly has a strong roster and simply needs a high-level QB to take them to great heights.
Lincoln Riley, Williams’ coach at USC, was asked how ready Williams is to be the face of an NFL franchise, and the coach said that the 22-year-old has the mindset it takes to be successful, per NFL Network.
“He expects to be successful.” @uscfb head coach @LincolnRiley has no doubt @CALEBcsw will excel at the next level. pic.twitter.com/asjOjS73kx
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 4, 2024
Riley also praised Williams by saying he has some inner fire, but unlike Baker Mayfield, whom he coached while at the University of Oklahoma, Williams is more poised.
Williams started his college football career at Oklahoma in 2021 under Riley, and after Riley was hired by USC in November 2021, Williams transferred there for the following season.
Last season, he threw for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns while adding 11 touchdowns on the ground, and he won the Heisman Trophy the previous year.
Chicago obtained the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft by trading the No. 1 selection in last year’s draft to the Carolina Panthers.
That trade also yielded wide receiver D.J. Moore, who will now be lining up alongside Keenan Allen, a six-time Pro Bowler.
The Bears also have the No. 9 selection this year, and thus they could have a very strong team right away if Williams, or another QB they take at No. 1, is great from the start.
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