Mario Williams explains how USC's offense has grown since last season
Mario Williams and the USC offense were one of the top units in 2022 but there was definitely room to grow over the course of spring practice.
With Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams back under center, it should be another big year for Mario Williams. Plus, Jordan Addison declared for the draft, which should open things up for Williams in the receiving department.
He spoke about the comparisons between last year’s spring practice compared to 2023.
“Shoot, I don’t even remember last spring,” Williams said. “I think we have grown. Like I said, all of our personalities have grown, and we all make sure we come to practice with high energy, and ready to work so I think we’ll be ready.”
Last season, after transferring with his quarterback following Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma, Williams finished with 40 catches, 631 yards, five touchdowns and 15.8 yards per catch. In his career, Williams has 75 catches, 1,011 yards, nine touchdowns and 13.5 yards per catch.
If there’s growth such as Williams suggested, it could be another banner year for the Trojans.
Lincoln Riley shares what stands out on USC’s offense
Riley said he thinks the team overall is in a more dependable spot, which is good considering it was a focus for them this offseason. That’s what Williams echoed afterwards.
“We’re eight practices in,” Riley said earlier this month. “I would say both sides have had one day where they were pretty dominant. The other six have just been back and forth. It’s kind of been like that.
“It feels like we’re a little bit stronger, there’s just a little bit more depth when the second wave of players goes in. There’s not as much of a drop-off. There’s just more good players on the field. And some of the players that we’ve brought back are more physically developed. A little bit bigger, a little big stronger. We just feel a little sturdier, to me, as a whole, which obviously was a goal for us.”
After going 11-3 in ’22, there felt as though there were both highs and lows for Riley to distinguish this offseason. The offense was naturally positive as USC, led by Heisman winner Caleb Williams, posted a top-three unit in the country. Defense, though, leaned more towards the negative. The Trojans barely cracked the Top-100 in points per game allowed, which included giving up 43 or more points in each of their losses.