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Caleb Williams

For other people named Caleb Williams, see Caleb Williams (disambiguation).

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.

Caleb Williams
refer to caption
Williams with the Oklahoma Sooners in 2021
No. 18 – Chicago Bears
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (2001-11-18) November 18, 2001 (age 23)
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 12, 2024
Passing attempts:372
Passing completions:233
Completion percentage:62.6%
TD–INT:11–5
Passing yards:2,356
Passer rating:84.9
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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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

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Oklahoma (2021)

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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)

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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

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College statistics
Season Team Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2021 Oklahoma 11 7 5–2 136 211 64.5 1,912 9.1 21 4 169.6 79 442 5.6 6
2022 USC 14 14 11–3 333 500 66.6 4,537 9.1 42 5 168.5 113 382 3.4 10
2023 12 12 7–5 266 388 68.6 3,333 8.6 30 5 170.1 97 142 1.5 11
Career 37 33 23–10 735 1,099 66.9 9,782 9.2 93 14 169.3 289 966 3.3 27

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand 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]

2024 season

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See also: 2024 Chicago Bears season

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]

In Week 8 against the Washington Commanders, Williams completed 41% of his passes for 131 yards and led a late go-ahead touchdown drive, but the Bears lost on a last-second Hail Mary pass, later dubbed the Madhouse in Maryland.[39] In subsequent losses to the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots, the Bears failed to score a touchdown and Williams was sacked 15 times, marking the first time since 2004 that Chicago did not score a touchdown in consecutive games.[40][41] After a loss to the Green Bay Packers, Williams ended his four-game touchdown drought in a Week 12 overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings, throwing for 340 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions for the fifth straight game. He also led two scoring drives in the final minute to force overtime and set the Bears' rookie passing yards record.[42]

Statistics

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Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A Y/G Lng TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg Lng TD Sck SckY Fum Lost
2024 CHI 11 11 4–7 233 372 62.6 2,356 6.3 214.2 47 11 5 84.9 55 339 6.2 24 0 44 298 4 2
Career 11 11 4–7 233 372 62.6 2,356 6.3 214.2 47 11 5 84.9 55 339 6.2 24 0 44 298 4 2

References

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  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.
  39. ^ Kane, Colleen (October 28, 2024). "As Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams watched that Hail Mary, he felt frustration — for the offense's missed opportunities". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  40. ^ Chamberlain, Gene (November 10, 2024). "Nine Sacks Taken Teaches Caleb Williams Plenty in Bears Loss". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  41. ^ Robert, Zeglinski (November 10, 2024). "Matt Eberflus' Bears basically punted the ball for 3 hours against the Patriots as their 2024 spirals". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  42. ^ Cronin, Courtney (November 25, 2024). "Bears' Caleb Williams improving under interim OC Thomas Brown". ESPN. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
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