USC’s Caleb Williams is The Top Pick
After weeks of anticipation the Chicago Bears made Caleb Williams the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The USC star has earned his way to the top selection in this years draft with an awesome leadership, a super personality and some pretty good statistics.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
After weeks of anticipation the Chicago Bears made Caleb Williams the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The USC star has earned his way to the top selection in this years draft with an awesome leadership, a super personality and some pretty good statistics.
In 2022, Williams passed for 4,537 yards and led the nation with 42 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He won the Heisman Trophy as well as Walter Camp Player of the year and the Maxwell Award.
Last season, Williams threw for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions. The 6-1, 215 pounder owns many USC single-season records, including total yards (4,919 yards), most total touchdowns (52), passing yards (4,537) and touchdown passes (42).
A Washington D.C. native is the sixth quarterback in the past seven years to be selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft.
The Bears acquired the 2024 No. 1 overall pick as part of a 2023 major- trade with the Carolina Panthers, who moved up all the way to the top of the order in last year’s draft to take quarterback Bryce Young. They recently traded QB Justin Fields to Pittsburg-that left things open for Williams.
“My goal is not to break records,” said Williams at a post draft press conference, my goal is to play as far into February as possible, we you get far enough in February that \when you tend to break records and milestones.”
The Bears also drafted Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze in the first round. He was an All- Pac 12 selection and a Walter Camp All-American.
“ I played against him (Odunze) and I can tell you now it wasn’t good I didn’t enjoy it but now to be a teammate I’m excited to be throwing to him.
Williams becomes USC record sixth No 1 pick in the NFL Draft. He follows Ron Yary (1968) OJ Simpson (1969) Ricky Bell (1977) Keyshawn Johnson (1996) and Carson Palmer (2003)
According to Spotrac Williams will sign a four-year deal that is worth around $38.5 million dollars. The contract has a signing bonus of around $24.8 million and it will have a fifth-year team option.
Williams contract is the second-highest value for a No. 1 pick in U.S. sports. The top earning spot belongs to Victor Wembanyama of the SanAntonio Spurs who signed a four-year, $55.17 million deal after being taken No1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
Williams personality and athletic play has sent his jersey to the fore front in sales. Bears Veteran newcomer Keenan wears Williams 13. That left the rookies to choose his high school number #18 jersey. .That has surpassed levels of any draft pick in sports, which includes Caitland Clark.
Both Clark and Williams were expected to be first overall picks in the WNBA and NFL drafts. and after they were officially selected by the Indiana Fever and Chicago Bears, respectively, fans rushed online to buy their jerseys. After Clark was selected on April 15, her merchandise broke Fanatics'(via USA Today) record for draft night merchandise sales for any draft pick across all sports. Her jersey sold out.
That record would last less than two weeks, as Fanatics says Williams is now the most for draft night sales for any draft pick across all sports.
The top pick has already feels the city’s need for a winner. The Bears are looking for their first winning season since 2018. “You can tell from the front office executives to the equipment staff that gets us geared up for game day, they all want to win. I know the fans are ready and rowdy that’s something I’m looking to it, so lets go’”
