Heisman Winner
Caleb Williams
QB | Sophomore | University of Southern California
Caleb Williams became the University of Southern California’s eighth Heisman winner when he was announced as the recipient of the 88th Heisman Memorial Trophy following a sophomore season in which he also won the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards and the 2022 AP Player of the Year honor.
The 6-foot-1 Williams, who transferred to USC as a sophomore, threw 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 was fourth-most nationally, his quarterback rating (167.94) was fifth-best and his passing yards per game (313.5) were sixth-best.
Williams joined USC’s previous Heisman winners Reggie Bush (2005), Matt Leinart (2004), Carson Palmer (2002), Marcus Allen (1981), Charles White (1979), O.J., Simpson (1968) and Mike Garrett (1965).
Williams, from Washington D.C., was ranked as the nation’s No. 1 player by SI All-American as a 2020 senior quarterback at Gonzaga College High in Washington, D.C., though they did not play a fall 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Williams enrolled at Oklahoma in the spring of 2021 after graduating a semester early from high school and became the Sooners’ starting quarterback by mid-season. Overall in 2021 while appearing in 11 games and starting the last seven, he completed 136-of-211 passes (64.5%) for 1,912 yards and 21 TDs with 4 interceptions, running for 442 yards on 79 carries with 6 TDs.
He transferred to USC as a sophomore, following Head Coach Lincoln Riley who took over the Trojans in 2022 after his time in Norman, Okla. Williams won the Trojans’ quarterback job and led USC to an 11-2 season after the Trojans went 4-8 in 2021.
He finished the regular season third nationally in total offense with 4,447 yards with a total that broke USC’s school record (4,225, 2017). He 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 led the country, as did his 282 points responsible for while his total touchdowns were a school record. He threw for over 300 yards seven times, including twice over 400 yards.
Williams’ passing yards (4,075) are 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.
He completed his season in record-setting fashion at the Cotton Bowl Classic, throwing for 462 yards and five TDs — both bowl game records — in a tough 46-45 loss to Tulane.
Williams returned as a 2023 true junior and threw for 3,633 yards with 30 TD passes and just five interceptions on 266-of-388 passing while he rushed for a team-best 11 more scores.
He declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and was selected first overall by the Chicago Bears.
