06 September 2023 , 18:25
662
0
University of Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams is widely expected to be the number one pick in the 2024 NFL Draft... but that is if he even declares to enter it.
For the second time now, suggestions have arisen that Williams could opt to return for his senior year in college if he is not happy with the team who hold the first overall pick in Detroit next April.
Williams won the Heisman Trophy after his incredible first season since transferring from the University of Oklahoma, and has backed that up with two outstanding performances to open the new season - continuing to draw comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes.
The quarterback is clearly aware of his chances of being drafted first overall - despite competition from the likes of fellow quarterbacks Drake Maye (UNC), Quinn Ewers (Texas) and Michael Penix Jr (Washington) who are also likely to be in the draft. Williams, though, could make a decision to return to his university team if certain teams have the first overall pick.
Williams' father told GQ that he will monitor the NFL Draft situation, and could even opt not to declare for the draft this year if he feels he'd be going to bad situation.
Joe Burrow backs Patrick Mahomes after Kansas City Chiefs reach Super Bowl
He said: "The funky thing about the NFL draft process is, he’d almost be better off not being drafted than being drafted first,” Carl Williams said. “The system is completely backwards.
"The way the system is constructed, you go to the worst possible situation. The worst possible team, the worst organization in the league — because of their desire for parity — gets the first pick. So it’s the gift and the curse.
"So if there’s not a good situation, the truth is, he can come back to school."
Caleb Williams has been incredible in his first two games this seasonWilliams himself, has admitted that he faces an uncertain future as he deals with the reality of not being able to select his career pathway.
"I’ve always been able to choose the team that I’ve played on, and then everything’s been scheduled for me. But now, going into this next part of my career, it’s weird [because] it’s so uncertain. You don’t know anything.
"You can’t control anything but you and how you act. That’s honestly the weirdest part for me, is the uncertainty."
The 21-year-old is seen as the best prospect to enter the draft since Joe Burrow in 2020, following his incredible senior year with LSU when he won the National Championship.