INDIANAPOLIS — Caleb Williams approached the decision differently.
While confirming that he would not be participating in medical evaluations at the NFL scouting combine, USC’s star quarterback made it clear that he was not refusing to undergo medical evaluations altogether.
Instead, Williams will undergo medical evaluations with teams he visits in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. This decision is more unconventional than his choice to skip throwing at the combine. However, the quarterback, who is highly likely to be drafted in the top two and is currently the odds-on favorite to be the first overall pick according to BetMGM, explained his reasoning.
“Not all 32 teams can draft me,” Williams stated on Friday morning. “I am unique, and only the teams I visit will have access to my medical evaluations.”
In a world dominated by social media, leaks and reports are common. Some leaks may not harm the player, like information about which team is interested in them. But other leaks, such as the S2 cognition test results that were leaked as part of a smear campaign against quarterback C.J. Stroud, are more personal. Despite this, Williams is choosing to limit the number of teams he trusts with his medical information.
It remains to be seen whether this medical decision will become a trend, especially as some players delay workouts until pro day, and Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. now opts out altogether. Additionally, it’s unclear whether this will benefit or harm teams navigating the challenging process of quarterback evaluation. An NFL front-office source mentioned that they didn’t see it as an advantage or disadvantage for any specific team.
“Overall, it’s a concerning trend with more players choosing to opt out of certain aspects,” the source commented. “It’s unclear how the league will address this.”
The source also added that the teams interested in Williams would have likely conducted medical evaluations during visits anyway, so they should still obtain the necessary information. The source felt that an individualized medical evaluation is unlikely to provide significantly differentiating draft intel.
Williams is prioritizing what’s best for him over setting a precedent for the NFL.
“I like to make history and rewrite history,” Williams explained. “I don’t compare myself to others; I believe I am a unique player.”
Williams’ stats speak for themselves. In his collegiate career at Oklahoma and USC, he completed 66.9% of pass attempts for 10,092 yards, 93 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. During his 2022 Heisman Trophy campaign, he threw an impressive 42 touchdowns to only five interceptions.
Williams’ performance, abilities, and potential have led to him being the frontrunner for the No. 1 overall pick according to BetMGM, ahead of other quarterbacks such as UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels.
Despite skipping a combine throwing workout, Williams’ hype is undeniable, and he believes that his on-field performance speaks volumes.
Williams recently interviewed with potential top picks such as the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, and New England Patriots, discussing various aspects of his personality and approach to football. He expressed excitement about the possibility of being drafted by his hometown team but did not discount the potential of playing for the Bears.
His ultimate goal remains to be drafted first overall and lead his team to success.
“I believe I will be the No. 1 pick,” Williams confidently stated. “I put in the hard work and dedication required. I only have Plan A in mind – to succeed and make history.”
Williams’ focus remains unwavering on achieving his goals and leading his team to victory.
“All I want to know from the Bears, who currently hold the top pick, is whether they want to win,” Williams concluded.