USC Football: Ahead Of Draft, Caleb Williams Earns Raves From Rival NFL Hopefuls

Williams' rivals are even raving about his game.

USC Trojans superstar quarterback Caleb Williams is the talk of the town leading up to the 2024 NFL draft. 

The 2022 Heisman trophy winner turned heads his entire college career, especially his last two seasons in Southern California. 

Williams was spectacular his entire college career and led his team to many wins; however, the 2023 year was quite different. For many reasons, Williams' brilliant football display was overshadowed by USC's poor play, especially on defense. Still, despite the team's challenges, Williams put his cape on and did his best to carry the Trojans to victory. It wasn't enough. 

USC finished the regular season at 7-5 and lost five of their last six games to close the regular season. Although the Trojans weren't good, Williams still gave opposing defenders hell. 

As we approach the NFL Scouting Combine, prospects from different position groups are talking to the media. The potential number one pick is being mentioned, and one of Williams' college rivals, Oregon defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus, couldn't help but rave about his game. 

Dorlus called Williams a 'Patrick Mahomes-type player.' 

"Caleb Williams? Man, I played him in 2021 Alamo Bowl, and he beat us, so there was definitely some animosity there, and I had to get him," Oregon defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "But he's like a Patrick Mahomes-type player. Extends plays with his feet, does a great job of getting the ball out, has a great arm throwing it deep.

"He's annoying and he's one of those players like Kyler Murray when he's running around in the backfield. Man, I love how he plays."

—Brandon Dorlus, via NBC Sports Chicago

Williams' USC career will go down as one of the best ever, especially for a quarterback. In his two seasons, the 21-year-old completed 599 of 888 passes for a completion percentage of 67.5, 8170 passing yards for an average of 9.2 yards per attempt, 72 passing touchdowns, and ten interceptions. 

On top of his impressive numbers, williams earned the 2022 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and was named an All-American. Williams is sure to set the league on fire from the start and make life hell for opposing defenses.