USC's Caleb Williams Declares for 2024 NFL Draft Amid Bears, Justin Fields Rumors

In an expected development, USC quarterback Caleb Williams declared for the 2024 NFL draft on Monday.

ESPN's Pete Thamel first reported the news.

Given that Williams is the clear front-runner to be the top overall pick in this year's draft—and given his decision to sit out the Holiday Bowl—Monday's news has long felt like a foregone conclusion.

The Chicago Bears own the No. 1 overall pick in April, as they received the pick from the Carolina Panthers in a trade last year.

On Saturday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that insiders believe they will likely draft Williams with the No. 1 pick and trade quarterback Justin Fields.

Per the B/R NFL Scouting Department, Williams has "great arm talent" and "great accuracy." Not only that, but he is also viewed as an "above-average athlete" with the "rare ability to throw off-platform."

The 22-year-old threw for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions this season, completing 68.6 percent of his passes. A porous offensive line and pushover defense kept USC out of the College Football Playoff conversation and in turn ended his chances of repeating as a Heisman Trophy winner, but he was nonetheless a bright spot.

The quarterback phenom was college football's brightest star in 2022, throwing for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five picks while completing 66.6 percent of his passes. That earned him the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.

"What really makes Williams' arm special is the elasticity in his throwing motion," B/R's Derrik Klassen wrote. "Williams' upper half is incredibly flexible, and he generates a ton of torque seemingly out of nowhere. Whether the pocket is cluttered or Williams is on the move, he's always able to get the ball out cleanly with the same kind of velocity and control he would get under normal circumstances."

About the only knock on Williams is his height, with his 6'1" frame being shorter than NFL evaluators have traditionally liked at the quarterback position. But the modern game has embraced smaller quarterbacks more and more in recent years, and players like Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and Jalen Hurts have all thrived in the league.

Williams has that level of upside. It's why turning pro now always made sense for him.