Caleb Williams explains the biggest difference in his second year under Lincoln Riley

Caleb Williams has a unique advantage of having transferred schools yet retained his head coach. Williams followed his former Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley when he took the head job in Los Angeles with USC. It has paid dividends for the pair as they’ve acclimated with their new surroundings and should continue to do so when the Trojans open the season next week.

Williams talked about the advantage he has being around Riley again during media on Wednesday. He says it takes a weight off his shoulders where he can focus on playing football by reading what defenses give him.

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“I don’t necessarily just have to worry about playing,” said Williams. “I can see things better from the defensive side and I know exactly where everybody has to line up, exactly where they’re gonna be on our side. Making sure we get the right runs into certain either blitzes or defensive fronts. Making sure that we have certain checks.”

Williams had an incredibly successful first college football campaign under Riley at Oklahoma in 2021. He took over for the Sooners halfway through the season and totaled 21 touchdowns and nearly 2,000 passing yards. His talents pair very well with Riley’s explosive play style with that connection now being to the Trojan’s benefit.

Williams says he wants to be an extension of Riley on the field. The two have a strong relationship and the QB feels its his responsibility to handle their business on the field. With Riley on the sideline, Williams believes it’s up to him to rally the troops during play on the field.

“I want to be sort of like Coach (Riley) part two on the field because he can’t be out there. He has to be behind those white lines,” said Williams. “That’s what I’m reaching for.”

Changing schools can be a big transition for anyone, player or coach. Thankfully for both Williams and Riley that they each have each other to help the other along. That familiarity will go a long way in helping them achieve what is expected from them both on the west coast this season.