USC Quarterback Caleb Williams Wins 2022 Heisman Trophy

Sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams from the University of Southern California was announced as the 88th winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy during ESPN’s 2022 Heisman Trophy Ceremony Presented by Nissan on Saturday (Dec. 10), originating from Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, N.Y.

Williams, joined in New York tonight by fellow finalists Stetson Bennett of Georgia, Max Duggan of TCU and C.J. Stroud of Ohio State, is now USC’s seventh Heisman winner and the second straight sophomore to win the award following Alabama’s Bryce Young in 2021.

“To the men standing behind me, thank you for your passion to the game,” said Williams before hoisting his trophy. “Because kids like me have dreams and goals of being the best from watching you all.

USC’s previous winners include Matt Leinart (2004), Carson Palmer (2002), Marcus Allen (1981), Charles White (1979), O.J., Simpson (1968) and Mike Garrett (1965).

He is the sixth sophomore to win the Heisman, the 19th quarterback in the last 22 years to win the Heisman and the 38th quarterback overall.

This marks the third Heisman winner to play for USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley, who was the head coach at Oklahoma when Baker Mayfield (2017) and Kyler Murray (2018) became Heisman winners.

The 6-foot-1 Williams, who was named the 2022 AP Player of the Year in addition to winning the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards earlier this week, has thrown for 4,075 yards on 296-of-448 passing (66.1%) with a national co-leading 37 touchdown passes against just four interceptions. His passing yards is fourth-most nationally, his quarterback rating (167.94) is fifth-best and his passing yards per game (313.5) is sixth-best. 

Williams, who led USC to an 11-2 season after the Trojans went 4-8 in 2021, is third nationally in total offense with 4,447 yards with a total that broke USC’s school record (4,225, 2017). He has also rushed for 372 yards (the most at USC in at least 70 years) on 109 carries with a team-best 10 TDs. 

Williams’ 47 total touchdowns lead the country, as do his 282 points responsible for while his total touchdowns are a school record. He threw for over 300 yards seven times, including twice over 400 yards.

Williams’ passing yards (4,075) is the eighth-most among Heisman winners, his 47 total touchdowns (49) are ninth most, his total offense (4,447) and quarterback rating (167.94) are 11th-most in Heisman history. 

Williams is the second Heisman winner to wear No. 13 and the first since Miami winner Gino Torretta in 1992.

The 2022 Heisman Trophy ballots went out to 929 electors, which includes 870 members of the media, our 58 living Heisman winners and one overall fan vote presented by Nissan, premier partner of the Heisman Trophy. All ballots were submitted electronically to the independent accountants at Deloitte.

Final 2022 Heisman Results