Caleb Williams

Last updated

Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams Oklahoma (cropped).jpg
Williams with the Oklahoma Sooners in 2021
No. 18 – Chicago Bears
Position: Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (2001-11-18) November 18, 2001 (age 22)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: Gonzaga College (Washington, D.C.)
College:
NFL draft: 2024  / round: 1 / pick:  1
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 9, 2024
Passing attempts:264
Passing completions:162
Completion percentage:61.4%
TD–INT:9–5
Passing yards:1,665
Passer rating:83.0
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Caleb Sequan Williams (born November 18, 2001) is an American professional football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Following one season of college football with the Oklahoma Sooners, he played for the USC Trojans and won the 2022 Heisman Trophy after setting single-season school records in passing yards and touchdowns. Williams was selected first overall by the Bears in the 2024 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

Williams was born on November 18, 2001, in Washington, D.C., later attending Gonzaga College High School, where he played high school football. [1] [2] As a sophomore in 2018, he led Gonzaga to a WCAC Championship as the best team in the District, and was named Washington Post All-Metropolitan 1st team and Washington, D.C. Gatorade Football Player of the Year after he passed for 2,624 passing yards with 26 touchdowns and rushed for 394 yards and 10 touchdowns. [3] As a junior in 2019, he was named Washington Post All-Metropolitan 1st team for the second consecutive year after he passed for 1,770 yards with 19 touchdowns and rushed for 838 yards with 18 touchdowns. He was named the Elite 11 finals MVP the following summer. [4] In 2020, his senior season was cancelled due to COVID-19. [5] The highest-rated quarterback prospect of his class, Williams committed to play college football at the University of Oklahoma. [6] [7] [8]

College career

Oklahoma (2021)

Williams entered his true freshman season with the Oklahoma Sooners in 2021 as the backup to Spencer Rattler, [9] [10] before assuming the role as starting quarterback midway through the Sooners' rivalry game with the Texas Longhorns in the team's sixth game of the season. [11] In that game, Oklahoma was down 35–17 before Williams replaced Rattler and led the Sooners to a 55–48 victory. [12] He finished with 212 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 88 yards rushing, and a rushing touchdown. [13] Williams made his first start the following week, against Texas Christian University, and threw for 295 yards, four touchdowns, and rushed for 66 yards and a rushing touchdown as Oklahoma won 52–31. [14] Williams finished his freshman year with 21 passing touchdowns, six rushing touchdowns, and four interceptions in seven games. [15]

USC (2022–2023)

On January 3, 2022, Williams entered the transfer portal, and on February 1, he announced that he had transferred to the University of Southern California to play for the Trojans, reuniting him with head coach Lincoln Riley, who had been the head coach for the Sooners before being hired away by the Trojans the previous November. [16] [17] Williams was named the starter on August 25 [18] and team captain on August 31. [19] In his first start against Rice, he went 19/22 with 249 yards and two touchdowns, as USC won 66–14. [20] He became the AP College Football Player of the Year, USC's first winner since Reggie Bush in 2005, [21] and was named the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner. [22] His 42 passing touchdowns led the NCAA. [23]

Williams and the Trojans went 7–5 in 2023 during the regular season, throwing for 3,333 yards with 31 passing and 11 rushing touchdowns. [24] [25] He declared for the 2024 NFL draft following the season, finishing his college career throwing for nearly 10,000 yards with 120 total touchdowns. [26]

As is the school's tradition for Heisman winners, his number 13 was retired by USC in 2024. [27]

Statistics

College statistics
SeasonTeamGamesPassingRushing
GPGSRecordCmpAttPctYdsAvgTDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
2021 Oklahoma 1175–213621164.51,9129.1214169.6794425.66
2022 USC 141411–333350066.64,5379.1425168.51133823.410
2023 12127–526638868.63,3338.6305170.1971421.511
Career 373323–107351,09966.99,7829.29314169.32899663.327

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span
6 ft 1+1⁄8 in
(1.86 m)		214 lb
(97 kg)		32 in
(0.81 m)		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)
All values from the NFL Combine [28] [29]

Williams was selected first overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2024 NFL draft. The Bears traded the previous year's first overall selection to the Carolina Panthers to acquire the pick used on Williams, also acquring D.J. Moore and several other selections in the said trade. [30] He was one of six quarterbacks taken in the first round, tied with the 1983 draft for the most in NFL history. [31] Williams was named the starter in May. [32] He signed his four-year rookie contract, worth $39.4 million fully guaranteed, on July 17, 2024. [33] [34]

Williams was the first quarterback selected first overall to win their season-opening NFL debut since 2002, completing 14-of-29 passes for 93 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers in a 24–17 win against the Tennessee Titans. [35] Williams recorded his first two career touchdowns and set the Bears' single-game rookie passing record with 363 yards in a 21–16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3. [36] After a 1–2 start, Williams led victories over the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers, throwing for over 300 yards and two touchdowns against Carolina, becoming the first Bears rookie quarterback with multiple 300+ yard games. [37] In Week 6 in London, Williams threw four touchdown passes in a 35–16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, leading Chicago to their first three-game win streak since 2020 heading into the bye week. [38]

NFL career statistics

YearTeamGamesPassingRushingSacksFumbles
GPGSRecordCmpAttPctYdsY/AY/GLngTDIntRtgAttYdsAvgLngTDSckSckYFumLost
2024 CHI 884–416226461.41,6656.3208.1479583.0382215.82402920842
Career 884–416226461.41,6656.3208.1479583.0382215.82402920842

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Leinart</span> American football player (born 1983)

Matthew Stephen Leinart is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. He played college football for the USC Trojans, where he won the Heisman Trophy and led his team to an undefeated season as a junior. Selected tenth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2006 NFL draft, Leinart primarily served as Kurt Warner's backup for four seasons. He spent his final three seasons in a backup role for the Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders. Leinart was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

Kliff Timothy Kingsbury is an American professional football coach and former quarterback who is the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, finishing in the top three in several school passing records before being selected in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He was a member of several other NFL and CFL teams before entering coaching in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Barkley</span> American football player (born 1990)

Matthew Montgomery Barkley is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football for the USC Trojans, setting set the Pac-12 Conference season record for touchdown passes as a junior. Due to suffering a shoulder injury in his senior season, Barkley was not selected until the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He has been a member of 11 different NFL teams, mostly as a backup. Barkley had his most notable stint with the Chicago Bears in 2016 where he served as the team's starter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brett Hundley</span> American football player (born 1993)

Brett Alan Hundley Jr. is an American former professional football quarterback. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, where he was the school's career leader in both total offense and touchdown passes. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft, and started nine games for them in 2017, following a collarbone injury to Aaron Rodgers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deshaun Watson</span> American football player (born 1995)

Derrick Deshaun Watson is an American professional football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers, leading the team to a national championship in 2016. Watson was selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Houston Texans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyler Murray</span> American football player (born 1997)

Kyler Cole Murray is an American professional football quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Following one season of college football with the Texas A&M Aggies, Murray played for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he won the Heisman Trophy as a junior. Murray was selected first overall by the Cardinals in the 2019 NFL draft. He was also selected ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the 2018 draft, making him the first player to be drafted in the first round of both sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalen Hurts</span> American football player (born 1998)

Jalen Alexander Hurts is an American professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He began his college football career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, leading the team to consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship appearances in 2016 and 2017. After being benched for Tua Tagovailoa during Alabama's victory in the latter championship, Hurts spent one season as a backup in 2018. He played his final season with the Oklahoma Sooners, leading them to an appearance in the 2019–20 College Football Playoff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Darnold</span> American football player (born 1997)

Samuel Richard Darnold is an American professional football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans and was selected third overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Ehlinger</span> American football player (born 1998)

Samuel George Ehlinger is an American professional football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he led the team to the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game and two bowl games. He was selected by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Fields</span> American football player (born 1999)

Justin Skyler Fields is an American professional football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Following a stint with the Georgia Bulldogs, he played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he was twice named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and appeared in the 2021 National Championship Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Nix</span> American football player (born 2000)

Bo Chapman Nix is an American professional football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). The NCAA's leader in games played at the position, he played three seasons of college football for the Auburn Tigers and was named the 2019 SEC Freshman of the Year. In 2022, Nix transferred to the Oregon Ducks and was a 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist after leading the FBS in touchdowns. He was selected by the Broncos 12th overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayden Daniels</span> American football player (born 2000)

Jayden Daniels is an American professional football quarterback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played three seasons of college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and two with the LSU Tigers, winning the 2023 Heisman Trophy with the latter after leading the FBS in total yards and setting its single-season passer rating record. Daniels was selected by the Commanders second overall in the 2024 NFL draft, setting several completion percentage records within his first month of playing. His rookie season also saw him throw a game-winning Hail Mary pass as time expired in a play known as the Madhouse in Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kedon Slovis</span> American football player (born 2001)

Kedon Slovis is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, the Pittsburgh Panthers and the BYU Cougars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryce Young</span> American football player (born 2001)

Bryce Young is an American professional football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, setting the school record for most passing yards in a single game (559) and winning several player of the year awards in 2021, including the Heisman Trophy. Young was selected first overall by the Panthers in the 2023 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorian Thompson-Robinson</span> American football player (born 1999)

Dorian Trevor Thompson-Robinson, also known by his initials DTR, is an American professional football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, where he was a two-time second-team all-conference selection in the Pac-12. He was selected by the Browns in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spencer Rattler</span> American football player (born 2000)

Spencer Michael Rattler is an American professional football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and South Carolina Gamecocks. Rattler was selected by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stetson Bennett</span> American football player (born 1997)

Stetson Fleming Bennett IV is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Jones College Bobcats and Georgia Bulldogs. Nicknamed "the Mailman", he started his career as a walk-on at Georgia before transferring to Jones College. Bennett transferred back to Georgia where he won consecutive national championships in 2021 and 2022, joining A. J. McCarron and Tommie Frazier as the only quarterbacks to win consecutive NCAA national championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Stroud</span> American football player (born 2001)

Coleridge Bernard "C. J." Stroud IV is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he holds several school records, including most passing yards in a single game with 573, as well as being the first player to throw for six touchdowns three times. Stroud was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2021 and 2022, and was subsequently selected by the Houston Texans second overall in the 2023 NFL draft. In his rookie season, he led the Texans to a division title and playoff victory en route to winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaxson Dart</span> American football player (born 2003)

Jaxson Chase Dart is an American football quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels. He began his college football career for the USC Trojans before transferring to Ole Miss in 2022.

Maxwell Duggan is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs, winning several national awards after being part of the team that made it to the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship game. He was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ "Caleb Williams '21 Named Gatorade D.C. Player of the Year". Gonzaga College High School. December 6, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  2. ↑ Murray, William (December 13, 2022). "Gonzaga and St. Pius X schools cheer as graduate Caleb Williams wins Heisman Trophy". Catholic Standard. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Caleb Williams '21 Named Gatorade D.C. Player of the Year". Gonzaga College High School. December 6, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  4. ↑ Garcia, John Jr. (July 1, 2020). "Caleb Williams Named 2020 Elite 11 Finals MVP". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  5. ↑ Bumbaca, Chris (April 24, 2024). "'He laughs. He cries': Caleb Williams' relatability, big arm go back to high school days". USA TODAY. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ Lourim, Jake (July 4, 2020). "Gonzaga's Caleb Williams, the nation's top QB prospect, commits to Oklahoma". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  7. ↑ VanHaaren, Tom (July 4, 2020). "Top dual-threat QB Williams commits to Sooners". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  8. ↑ Aber, Ryan (July 5, 2020). "Caleb Williams commits to Oklahoma Sooners". The Oklahoman . Retrieved October 11, 2023– via The Ledger , Lakeland, Florida.
  9. ↑ Horning, Clay (April 24, 2021). "Horning: Caleb Williams should still be in high school but he stole the spring game instead". The Norman Transcript . Norman, Oklahoma . Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  10. ↑ Aber, Ryan (August 8, 2021). "'Sky's the limit': Caleb Williams' growth backing up Spencer Rattler is crucial for OU football". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  11. ↑ Wilson, Dave (October 9, 2021). "Riley's QB swap pays off in 'epic' OU rivalry win". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  12. ↑ Cooper, Sam (October 9, 2021). "Oklahoma storms back from huge deficit, shocks Texas 55-48 on last-second TD". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  13. ↑ Wilson, Dave (October 9, 2021). "Riley's QB swap pays off in 'epic' OU rivalry win". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  14. ↑ Hoover, John E. (October 16, 2021). "Caleb Williams Shines as Oklahoma Downs TCU". SI.com. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Caleb Williams 2021 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  16. ↑ Thamel, Pete (February 1, 2022). "Former Oklahoma Sooners QB Caleb Williams transferring to the USC Trojans". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  17. ↑ Williams, Caleb [@CALEBcsw] (February 1, 2022). "#FightOn" (Tweet). Retrieved February 1, 2022– via Twitter.
  18. ↑ Trevino, Chris (August 25, 2022). "Lincoln Riley: QB Caleb Williams will start the season for USC football". 247sports.com. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  19. ↑ Fletcher III, James (August 31, 2022). "Caleb Williams reveals his reaction to being named 2022 USC team captain". On3.com. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  20. ↑ "USC v. Rice Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  21. ↑ Beacham, Greg (December 8, 2022). "USC QB Caleb Williams voted AP Player of the Year". Associated Press News . Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  22. ↑ Uggeti, Paolo (December 10, 2022). "USC QB Caleb Williams outraces field, wins Heisman Trophy". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  23. ↑ "2022 College Football Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Caleb Williams 2023 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  25. ↑ "2023 USC Trojans Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  26. ↑ Thamel, Pete (January 15, 2024). "USC's Caleb Williams, potential No. 1 pick, enters NFL draft". ESPN. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  27. ↑ Connolly, Matt (September 5, 2024). "USC retiring No. 13 jersey after Caleb Williams' Heisman Trophy season". On3. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Caleb Williams Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  29. ↑ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Caleb Williams College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  30. ↑ Farmer, Sam (April 26, 2024). "USC's Caleb Williams, UCLA's Laiatu Latu are top pick and top defender taken in draft". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  31. ↑ Alper, Josh (April 25, 2024). "Six quarterbacks in first round ties NFL record". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  32. ↑ DeArdo, Bryan (May 10, 2024). "Bears' Caleb Williams named starting QB: Chicago wastes no time anointing No. 1 pick as top signal-caller". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  33. ↑ Mayer, Larry (July 17, 2024). "Roster Move: Bears sign Caleb Williams to rookie contract". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  34. ↑ Shook, Nick (July 16, 2024). "No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams signing rookie contract with Bears". NFL.com. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  35. ↑ Silverman, Steve (September 8, 2024). "Bears' Caleb Williams pulls off feat not done since 2002 despite rocky play". ClutchPoints.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  36. ↑ Cronin, Courtney (September 22, 2024). "Williams wowed by passing output in Bears' loss, aims to 'keep slinging it'". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  37. ↑ "Caleb Williams makes Bears history in win over Panthers". NBC Chicago. October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  38. ↑ Maguire, Ken (October 13, 2024). "Williams throws 4 TDs and TE Kmet handles long snaps for Bears in 35-16 rout of Jaguars in London". AP News. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.