Caleb Williams looking forward to a ‘special year’ at USC
USC had an excellent season last fall in Lincoln Riley’s first year in Los Angeles. As he also enters his second year with the Trojans, QB Caleb Williams expects nothing less than a special run.
Williams opened his media availability on Wednesday by talking about what this campaign could represent for himself and his program. He said it’s nothing against last year’s team but that this year’s version already feels similar if not better.
“Going in year three? It’s pretty special,” said Williams. “We’ve got a special team this year. It was a special team last year. But, this year, it’s a special year for myself and for this team.”
Special is one of the right words to use when you consider what 2022 was in Hollywood for Riley, Williams, and the Trojans. They went 11-3 by posting the third-best offense in the nation and reached the Pac-12 Championship while also being a win in that game away from making the College Football Playoff.
Williams himself was also spectacular en route to winning the Heisman Trophy, USC’s eighth in the history of their program. His numbers from the year, which included over 4,500 passing yards and 42 touchdowns, have solidified him as the sport’s best quarterback and one of its best players, if not the best.
Riley also feels like this year’s roster already has a different vibe to it. Now, after coming up short come the postseason, Williams wants this run to be significant based on what they accomplish compared to what they left on the table a year ago.
Lincoln Riley believes Williams has plenty of room for growth
Despite a Heisman Trophy on his shelf, Lincoln Riley believes USC quarterback Caleb Williams has plenty of room for growth in 2023.
Riley says Williams can be one of the legends, and he has his entire career ahead of him. That’s causing him to push the reigning Heisman as far as he can go and, in his eyes, Williams is responding to it and then some.
“(Williams) has played a year and a half of college football. There’s fifteen more levels he could get at,” Riley responded. “I mean he’s going to continue to get better throughout his career. He’s still got the bulk of his career in front of him. So, yeah, we’re going to try and take a great step throughout this season. Needs to get better at a little bit of everything. I don’t know if you guys believe me when I say that but it actually is the truth. He’s tremendous (but) he doesn’t walk on water yet.”
“(Williams) has got a lot of work to do. And he’s the first one to admit that and to see that. He’s a tremendous player but there’s not any part of his game where you’re like, ‘That is elite. It can’t get any better’. So we’re pushing it on all facets. We’re coaching him hard and he’s been very responsive. And I do think he’s a better player right now than he was. I do think he’s got a different skillset and a whole new set of challenges coming up that he’s going to have to be ready to deal with and respond to.”