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Chicago Bears pick Caleb Williams No. 1 and here is what they’re getting
Lorenzo Reyes breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of Caleb Williams and what he’ll bring to the NFL.
The Chicago Bears drafted USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner threw for 93 touchdowns and more than 10,000 yards over his three-year college career. Here’s what to know about Williams.
It’s impossible to discuss the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner without starting with his creativity. For some, the escape-artist highlights and signature deep strikes are the primary selling points for Williams, one of the most heavily anticipated draft prospects in some time. Yet a good portion of what makes the 6-1, 214-pounder so alluring is rooted in basic tenets of good quarterback play: calm footwork, pinpoint accuracy and exceptional awareness. Although his proclivity for always seeking out big gains as he holds onto the ball looks untenable in the long term, Williams can be a truly elite offensive catalyst once he proves he can play on schedule and take advantage of the easy throws afforded to him. — Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Williams, who is from Washington, D.C., and went to Gonzaga College High School, is 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds.
Williams began his college career at Oklahoma, starting for the Sooners during the 2021 season. That year, he appeared in 11 games, throwing for 21 touchdowns, 1,912 yards and four picks. Over the next two seasons at US, Williams piled it on, throwing for 72 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and 8,170 yards while competing 67.5% of his passes.
During his career at USC, Williams recorded multiple games in which he threw for at least five touchdowns. His career high was six TDs against Colorado in 2023.
Williams, who did not participate in drills at the NFL combine, held is pro day in March and all 32 NFL teams had reps in attendance. He threw about 50 passes, missing only a few of them.