USC football is still projected to land Caleb Williams as deadline nears

Five-star quarterback Caleb Williams is still deciding on his destination from the transfer portal and he’s reportedly down to USC football and LSU. 

The most sought-after recruit, either in high school or in the transfer portal right now, has to be former Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams.

The No. 1 quarterback in the 2021 class proved to be dynamic for the Sooners last season and while he didn’t lead them to the Big 12 championship game, he played so well he was earning some Heisman Trophy Buzz and is expected to be even better in 2022.

But with Lincoln Riley taking over the head coaching job for USC football, that completely changed things. Williams entered the transfer portal after the season was over and USC standout Jaxson Dart did the same.

Dart is the second-rated player in the transfer portal right now behind Williams and his departure from USC football was seen as a strong indication that Williams would be joining his former head coach with the Trojans too.

After all, William’s biggest concern is developing for the NFL, and Riley has sent three quarterbacks to the league in the first two rounds just over the past few years.

USC football has also been adding talent like crazy in the transfer portal. Not only did USC add Mario Williams, a former top-100 wideout and teammate of Williams with Oklahoma last year, but also former Colorado standout Brenden Rice, the son of Jerry Rice.

That doesn’t even include five-star running back in 2022 Raleek Brown or C.J. Williams a top-100 wideout in 2022 ready to play right away.

Williams would be the missing piece for USC football and all of his transfer crystal ball predictions have projected him to sign with USC.

But time is running out. The deadline to enroll with USC is Jan. 28. So that’s Friday, yet LSU has made a big move in this race, and now, the Tigers have joined the top two along with USC.

Where will Caleb Williams end up?

It’s hard to predict a final destination of anywhere other than USC football but if Williams delays his decision beyond this week, then it won’t be the Trojans.

When Williams first entered the transfer portal, LSU was one of the teams I said would be a perfect fit and with Williams, the Tigers could be an immediate playoff contender next season with Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge.

So that has to be temping. Kelly also knows how to develop quarterbacks but doesn’t have the reputation of first-rounders that Riley does.

Ultimately, I’m siding with the crystal balls and projecting Caleb Williams to USC football. But if that doesn’t happen, the Trojans are going to be scrambling as will other programs to land guys like Jaxson Dart and JT Daniels.