LOOK: Photo emerges of Caleb Williams in USC uniform
Former Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams, who on Jan. 3 announced his intention to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, could very well end up following former Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley to USC.
On Thursday, a screenshot from a video surfaced on Twitter in which Williams appears to be wearing a full USC uniform. The tweet speculates that Williams was preparing to make an announcement on social media platforms wearing a USC uniform; however, it could also be a photo of him wearing the uniform from an official visit. As is customary with official visits, recruits dress up in the school’s uniform for a photoshoot.
Williams has yet to speak publicly on his transfer status. However, in his initial announcement, he explained that Oklahoma is not out of the picture.
“As you all know, the sudden changes this season sent shockwaves through Sooner Nation and were really hard for the whole team,” Williams wrote. “… I think we all come to college to find our own path and prepare for the future. I came to Oklahoma with a game plan, but with all the recent changes, I need to figure out what is the right path for me moving forward.
“According to NCAA rules, as a student-athlete, the only way I can speak with other schools and see who many offer the best preparation and development for my future career is by entering the portal. Staying at OU will definitely be an option as I begin this process.”
At this point, with Williams having visited two California-based Pac-12 schools in USC and UCLA, all indications point towards him leaving Oklahoma, which will be led next season by first-year head coach Brent Venables. Should he choose to follow Riley — and he referenced the coaching changes of the 2021 season as “sudden changes (that) sent shockwaves” — Williams would have to make a decision soon.
According to Los Angeles Times writer Ryan Kartje, the final day for USC football players to enroll as full-time students and take place in spring practice is Jan. 28.
With more than two weeks left, there is no rush at the moment for Williams, but with no timetable from him and his camp there will be speculation until that date. While Jan. 28 is the final day to enroll, in-person classes are set to begin on Jan. 24.
A former five-star recruit, he burst onto the scene for Oklahoma this year in place of Spencer Rattler, who was benched mid-year. Rattler ended up transferring to South Carolina.
Potential impact of Caleb Williams
Lincoln Riley has been the head coach at USC for just a couple of months and he is already experiencing something he never had to at Oklahoma — quarterback problems. The past two starters for the Trojans are on their way out of the program in Kedon Slovis and Jaxson Dart.
However, there is one name out there that Riley has to land in order to get his tenure at USC off to a hot start in Caleb Williams. The former Oklahoma Sooner sent the college football world into a frenzy by entering the transfer portal. And USC instantly became the favorite due to Williams’ connection to Riley.
When discussing the possibility of Williams heading to Los Angeles, LA Times writer Ryan Kartje laid out how the former On3 No. 1 overall player could impact the USC program. He said Williams is “on another level” and would speed up Riley’s rebuild.
“Jaxson Dart had a really impressive debut season while thrust into a difficult spot as a freshman,” Kartje said. “USC would’ve been just fine with him at the helm next season. With Riley guiding his development, a Dart-led future looked pretty bright at USC, and I have no doubt he’ll make another team very happy as its quarterback.
“But Williams is on another level. He’s already being viewed as a candidate for the top pick in the 2024 NFL draft. His arrival would immediately set USC on a different course over the next two seasons. He’s already comfortable in Riley’s offense, and while he wouldn’t have the same caliber of weapons to work with, there’s no doubt he would immediately step in as one of the best quarterbacks in the Pac-12. That goes a long way when you’re trying to rebuild a program.”
On3’s James Fletcher contributed to this report.