The USC Trojans’ Caleb Williams seized the Heisman Trophy in 2022 and cemented his status as a gridiron sensation. However, USC’s fortunes waned in 2023, slipping from playoff contention to Pac-12 mediocrity. Nevertheless, Williams remained a man of excellence amidst defensive woes, reaffirming his position as the premier quarterback of his cohort.
Williams is now ready to take his talent to the NFL as he declared his draft. While many analysts think the USC star will be the No.1 overall pick, a former NFL player bucks the trend by expressing skepticism about this widely held belief.
Keyshawn Johnson claims Jayden Daniels better than Caleb Williams
Former NFL star Keyshawn Johnson has thrown his support behind Jayden Daniels leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, favoring him over Caleb Williams. Johnson’s stance, shared on FS1’s “Undisputed,” challenges the widespread belief that Williams is a shoo-in for the first overall pick.
“I would take Jayden Daniels at the quarterback position as the first guy off my board, nothing against Caleb, it’s just that I like Jayden Daniels better. I think Jayden Daniels’ ability to throw the deep ball to hit on schedule plays and all scheduled platform plays, to be able to move in and out of the pocket to do all of those sorts of things. He is a natural leader to me,” Johnson said.
.@Keyshawn likes Jayden Daniels over Caleb Williams as the best QB in the NFL Draft 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZddqUhVoKO
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) March 4, 2024
The former NFL vet expressed reservations about Williams’ fit for the NFL and questioned the translation of his success in USC’s offensive system.
“Where Caleb on the other hand, I always caution myself from systems that guys play in. When I look at the history of that quarterback in that particular system in the air rate, it doesn’t always transfer to NFL. Whether it’s the New England Patriots or Washington, they should take him over Caleb.”
Johnson’s scrutiny of Williams isn’t newfound. He consistently mentioned the limitations of evaluating quarterbacks solely based on statistics. The veteran earlier advocated for a holistic assessment that encompasses intangibles crucial for success at the NFL level.
Caleb Williams’ collegiate statistics proves his proficiency as a passer and leader on the field. He completed 68.6% of his passes for 3,633 yards in 12 games in the 2023 season. The QB finished his college career with 93 touchdown passes, 10,082 yards and 14 interceptions. However, Johnson’s reservations suggest a deeper consideration of factors beyond mere numbers.
Caleb Williams favorite NFL QB
Caleb Williams did not undergo medical checks and did not even actively participate in the combine. However, his presence in Indianapolis provided an opportunity for the media to inquire about his football influences. When asked about his football influences, he wasted no time in expressing his admiration for Aaron Rodgers.
“I try to model my game after a bunch of guys, but Aaron Rodgers – I would say – is No. 1,” the young star said.
When pressed about his favorite NFL player of all time, the former USC star reiterated his admiration for Rodgers. He placed A-Rod at the top of his list, closely followed by the iconic Tom Brady.
“Aaron Rodgers. Then Tom Brady,” Williams said.
Caleb Williams says he models his game after #Jets QB Aaron Rodgers 👀pic.twitter.com/3my5IJeG8u https://t.co/PjujlkEKrv
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 4, 2024
Aaron Rodgers, with his ten Pro Bowl appearances and four MVP awards, has been an iconic figure in the NFL landscape. Despite facing setbacks like a season-ending injury in 2023, his impact remains undeniable.
For Caleb Williams, the parallels between his own playing style and Rodgers’ are striking. Both signal-callers possess a rare combination of athleticism and arm strength, capable of turning a broken play into a game-changing moment. Their similarities extend beyond the field, with identical builds and a shared knack for making the improbable look routine.
