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Paolo Ughetti, ESPN
LOS ANGELES — In front of representatives from all 32 NFL teams, former USC quarterback Caleb Williams, widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, showed off his skills at his pro day Wednesday.
“I wanted to come out here and put on a show,” Williams said. “I think it went well.”
Participating teams got to see Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, do something he hasn't done since the end of the 2023 college football season: throw the ball.
At the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month, Williams decided to forego medical tests and measurements. He also did not pitch or participate in practice.
“I didn't feel the need to go out and pitch,” Williams said in Indianapolis. “I think I've played like 30-odd games. Come on, actually watch me ball and see how I am as a competitor.”
Williams, a junior who declared for the draft on the last possible day, also said he was only undergoing medical tests for an intra-team visit and was not considering the possibility of not being the top overall pick in the draft. .
“That's not in my mind,” Williams said. “I don't think I can't be No. 1. I've worked hard. I don't have a Plan B in mind.”
In three seasons in college (one at Oklahoma and two at USC), Williams had 10,082 passing yards and 93 touchdown passes, as well as 27 rushing TDs.
After Williams' sophomore season, in which he tallied 4,537 passing yards and 42 touchdowns and nearly led USC to a College Football Playoff berth, he began being discussed as a potential top overall pick in the draft.
Given his potential as a franchise quarterback, scouts from every NFL team were on hand at USC on Wednesday, where Williams took the time to appear at a packed Allyson Felix Field.
Upon arrival, Williams went to meet Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen, gave him a hug, and then circled the field to greet the USC coaches and staff who were also in attendance.
The Bears, who own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, sent general manager Ryan Pauls, coach Matt Eberflus and a national team that included Allen.
“For the GM and coaches to come here and watch me… it’s really cool,” Williams said. “I've known Keenan for probably a year and he's played with me a few times, so I'm really excited to think I might end up on the same team as him. Yo.”
At one point while Williams was warming up on a separate field, both Polish and Allen headed to the sideline and interacted with Williams' parents, including his father, Karl.
Through 50 or so attempts, Williams' timing and accuracy seemed effortless, especially on throws across the field or on the move. Overall, only four balls hit the ground. Williams then quickly diagnosed several throws he missed, explaining exactly why one needed more hang time and another was just a little behind the receiver.
When the session ended, Williams kicked a punt and then went to greet USC coach Lincoln Riley, the Bears' leadership team and Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters.
Williams confirmed he met with the Bears in Los Angeles on Monday.
“I don't think there's really much to learn,” Williams said of their interaction. “It’s just about building relationships.”
Williams added that his playing weight is around 217 and that he has been preparing for attacks from much larger defenders than he faced in college.
Williams said she tries to maintain perspective while allowing herself to embrace the excitement of the moment.
“This is something I've been waiting for, dreaming about and working towards,” Williams said. “I'm excited and I'm ready. I'm going to be ready for the things I'm not ready for.”
