Former USC quarterbacks react to the Caleb Williams commitment
There are some commitments that resonate a little bit more across the college football landscape. USC landed one of those on Tuesday in quarterback transfer Caleb Williams.
The announcement drew reactions from the entire USC staff. Most do.
It also inspired a reaction from USC president, Dr. Carol L. Folt, which typically does not happen.
And the addition of Williams also brought reactions from some of the best quarterbacks to ever play for USC.
Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart offered his optimism for the potential Williams era at USC.
“There’s been a long history of great Qb’s to wear the Cardinal and Gold,” Leinart posted to Twitter. “Can’t wait for you to establish your legacy!”
Leinart served as USC quarterback from 2003-05 and finished then a then-USC record 99 touchdown passes to go along with 10,693 passing yards.
Former USC quarterback Rodney Peete offered a “Welcome to the FAMILY!!!” message to Williams.
Williams could potentially join Peete as one of a handful of black starting quarterbacks for the Trojans. It’s a list that includes Peete, Willie Wood, Jimmy Jones and Vince Evans, among others. And he could be the first since Reggie Perry in 1991.
Peete stands at No. 6 all-time for USC in passing yards, with 8,225. He’s No. 9 in passing touchdowns, with 54.
Williams’ commitment also elicited some excitement from Matt Barkley, USC’s all-time leader in passing yards (12,327) and passing touchdowns (116)
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“Fight On!!” Barkley said in a tweet. “Let’s get to work and make it happen!!”
Mark Sanchez, who threw for 3,207 yards and 34 touchdowns as the full-time starter in 2008 also tweeted a welcome message to Williams.
Williams will likely have two seasons at USC. He’ll be eligible to enter the NFL Draft following the 2023 season.
There will be a quarterback competition this spring, though Williams is clearly the favorite to land the starting spot for the Trojans. He played for Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma last season and took over as the starter for the final seven games of the year.
Williams surely won’t reach the career marks posted by Leinart or Barkley in just two years. But getting to Peete’s 54 career passing touchdowns should be within reach. But however it plays out for Williams and USC, the reaction from some of the biggest stars to throw a football for the Trojans says more than enough about the excitement this commitment brings to the program.
