USC Football: Caleb Williams Reveals Why He Didn't End Season After Utah Loss

USC quarterback Caleb Williams explained why he didn't shut things down ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

Ahead of what could possibly be his last collegiate football game this Saturday against UCLA, USC star quarterback Caleb Williams addressed the reason why he has simply not put the pads to rest just yet, according to Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times.

“Just the nature of how I was raised and being around these guys all year round,” the junior said. “I work out with them all year round, we run, lift, we go out and have fun together, we enjoy each other’s presence and it means the world to me to be able to end this season off and this regular season. … I was going to stick it out regardless of whatever decision I was going to make.”

Per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times

In Week 8 on October 21st, USC suffered it's second straight loss of the season to Utah 34-32. The Trojans fell to a 6-2 record and likely out of contention for a spot in CFB playoff.

With a schedule that still had Washington and Oregon remaining, all was starting to seem lost for Williams and the Trojans.

As the season went on, USC would end up losing both of those games and drop to a record of 7-4 (5-3 in the Pac-12). They're now unranked and out of contention to even compete for a Pac-12 Championship. They will also not be eligible to even play in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.

USC will now take the field this Saturday and take on their cross-town rival, the UCLA Bruins.

Williams has already accomplished so much during three years of playing CFB as he is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and has scouts practically drooling over him as he is the projected No. 1 overall pick in the coming 2024 NFL draft.

With everything he has already done, it would be easy for Williams to pack it up and say, "Hey I'm off to the NFL, see ya."

Instead, he is still showing up every day and continues to remain involved with the team.

USC running back MarShawn Lloyd went on to praise Williams for being a great teammate.

“We know Caleb, he’s the No. 1 pick, no matter what,” running back MarShawn Lloyd said. “No matter the way the season goes, Caleb is a great player, a great leader and a great teammate.”

Per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times

If Williams elected to forgo the rest of the CFB season, it would do no damage to his chances of becoming the number one pick in this year's draft. However, he hasn't ruled out the opportunity to come back to USC next year and try to lead the Trojans to a National Title for the first time since they lost 41-38 to Texas.

“But obviously, if I’m staying here at USC, I don’t think I would not be out there” for the bowl game, Williams said. “So it’s just a decision I have to make.”

Per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times

For right now the one thing that remains true for USC's future, is that Williams will be suiting up for the Trojans on Saturday afternoon and while both teams have little to play for, the fact of the matter is, it's still CFB and it's still a rivalry game. 

Williams is still a USC Trojan right now and while he's played for the team for just two years, he's left quite the legacy.

"I'd say a player that went out there and gave his all every play, every chance he got. I'd say a player that cared for his teammates, i'd say a player that wanted to go out there and win every single game that we had."

Per Thuch Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times

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