Caleb Williams describes his crown celebration

On3 imageby:Kaiden Smith10/12/23

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USC quarterback Caleb Williams was the king of college football last season after taking home the Heisman Trophy, and his celebrations lately have certainly embodied that.

Ever since his impressive performance against Notre Dame last year, where he also struck the Heisman pose, every once in a while when Williams makes a big play he’ll celebrate by placing a crown on his head. A celebration truly fit for a king.

Ahead of his rematch with the Fighting Irish this weekend, Williams was asked about the motivation behind the celebration and he broke down its significance.

“It’s really just kind of an energy thing for me, kind of a persona I’m taking on I guess you could say,” Williams explained. “Just kind of feeling that way, just king vibes and going out there and showing why.”

The vibes have been high in Los Angeles this season, as Williams has helped lead the Trojans to a 6-0 start to the season for a second straight year under Lincoln Riley.

But their flawless record was in jeopardy last weekend, as the Arizona Wildcats pushed USC to the limits in a game that went down to the wire. A three-yard touchdown catch by Jacob Cowing in the fourth quarter followed by a successful two-point conversion attempt tied the game and eventually sent it into overtime at The Coliseum.

Both teams traded blows in overtime until Williams took over and ended things in the third overtime period when he scrambled to the right, hit a defender with a hesitation juke, and stretched out for the pylon on what ended up being the game-winning touchdown.

The play was dazzling and worthy of a crown, and as a result Williams hit his signature celebration in an iconic moment that can be seen below.

Williams had his most pedestrian performance throwing the football of the season versus Arizona, throwing for just 219 yards and a touchdown. But he definitely made an impact with his legs rushing for 41 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

The last time Williams had three rushing scores was when he debuted the crown celebration against Notre Dame last season, rushing for 35 yards and three touchdowns to go along with his 232 yards and one touchdown through the air in what many tabbed as his ‘Heisman moment’.

Williams will look to replicate that performance this weekend when the Trojans travel to South Bend to face the Fighting Irish, as the king of college football will face his biggest test of the season and attempt to avoid being dethroned.