USC quarterback Caleb Williams is widely regarded as the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft if he decides to enter it. However, according to Caleb’s father, there’s no guarantee that he will allow any team to pick him next April.
In a GQ profile about Caleb, his father, Carl Williams, expressed significant concerns about the possibility of his son ending up with a poorly-run organization in the NFL. He even suggested that if such a team were to secure the No. 1 pick, Caleb might choose to return to school instead.
Carl Williams voiced his concerns, saying, “The peculiar thing about the NFL draft process is that he’d almost be better off not being drafted than being drafted first. The system is completely flawed. The way it’s structured, you end up in the worst possible situation. The worst team, the weakest organization in the league gets the first pick, all in the name of maintaining competitive balance. It’s a double-edged sword. I mean, I’ve spoken to Archie Manning—his career suffered because he joined a terrible organization. I’ve talked to Lincoln [Riley], and Kyler [Murray] faced difficulties due to where he was drafted. Baker [Mayfield] encountered significant challenges because of his draft placement. The organization matters.”
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He further emphasized, “He has two opportunities. So if there’s no favorable situation, the reality is that he can choose to return to school.”
Setting aside the discussion about the draft process, it is undeniable that there are risks involved. Returning for his senior season could expose Caleb to the possibility of injury, potentially costing him millions of dollars.
Additionally, there is no assurance that the team selecting first in 2025 would be a better fit for Caleb, at least from his perspective, than the team with the top pick in 2024.
Caleb Williams possesses the potential to be a franchise quarterback and has the capability to turn around an organization. He clearly believes in his ability to do so.
Ultimately, at some point, he will have to place his trust in himself and his abilities, regardless of which team may ultimately choose him.
