ARIZONA CARDINALS

Caleb Williams won’t play for USC in Holiday Bowl, fueling NFL Draft expectations

Dec 4, 2023, 11:47 AM | Updated: 12:07 pm

Caleb Williams, USC Trojans quarterback vs. Arizona State...

USC QB Caleb Williams against the Arizona State Sun Devils on Sept. 23, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)

(Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams will not play for Southern California in the Holiday Bowl, fueling the expectation he will enter the upcoming NFL draft.

Williams won’t be in the lineup when the Trojans (7-5) face Louisville in their bowl game in San Diego on Dec. 27, USC coach Lincoln Riley said Monday.

Williams has been widely expected to enter the draft all year, and he is a strong candidate to be selected No. 1 overall after two impressive seasons at USC.

He won the Heisman in 2022 with a spectacular debut season in Los Angeles after transferring from Oklahoma. He then passed for 3,633 yards with 30 touchdown passes and five interceptions this season, his third in college football.

Backup Miller Moss and touted freshman Malachi Nelson will be the top candidates to lead USC against the Cardinals, but Riley said he hadn’t decided who will be his quarterback. The Trojans struggled mightily down the stretch this season despite Williams’ solid play, losing five of their final six games.

Williams has passed for 10,082 yards with 93 TD passes and just 14 interceptions in his three years at Oklahoma and USC. He also rushed for 960 yards with 27 touchdowns.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Max Melton...

Alex Weiner

Cardinals rookie CB Max Melton to face brother, Packers WR Bo Melton

In a moment they dreamed about as kids, Cardinals cornerback Max Melton and Packers wide receiver Bo Melton will face each other in the NFL for the first time. 

2 hours ago

Wide receiver Chris Moore #10 of the Arizona Cardinals...

Kevin Zimmerman

Chris Moore re-signed to Arizona Cardinals practice squad

Two days after the Arizona Cardinals released him, receiver Chris Moore was signed to the team's practice squad on Friday.

24 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and backup Josh McCown review the defensive schemes on th...

Kevin Zimmerman

Feeling old? Ex-Cardinals QBs Kurt Warner’s and Josh McCown’s kids will play each other Saturday

Owen McCown of UTSA and E.J. Warner of Rice face off Saturday. Their dads, Josh McCown and Kurt Warner, were on the 2005 Arizona Cardinals.

1 day ago

Arizona Cardinals WR Zay Jones makes a catch during Day 1 of joint practice...

Arizona Sports

Cardinals injury report: Zay Jones, Darius Robinson out vs. Packers

Arizona Cardinals receiver Zay Jones and defensive tackle Darius Robinson were downgraded Thursday ahead of facing the Green Bay Packers.

1 day ago

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson...

Alex Weiner

Cardinals rookie Dadrion Taylor-Demerson soaking in what he can before the exam

Cardinals rookie safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson said the coolest part of his days is listening to veterans Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson talk ball.

2 days ago

Marvin Harrison Jr....

Alex Weiner

Cardinals’ Kyler Murray on Marvin Harrison Jr. connections: ‘They’ll come’

The receiving numbers for Marvin Harrison Jr. through five games do not jump off the page, which he and Kyler Murray addressed this week.

2 days ago

Caleb Williams won’t play for USC in Holiday Bowl, fueling NFL Draft expectations