Potential No. 1 pick Williams shrugs off Mahomes comparisons
Not only is USC quarterback Caleb Williams the favorite to go first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he's also drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, who's been in a league of his own since joining the Kansas City Chiefs.
Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, shrugged off those comparisons, saying he hasn't won enough big games to earn that status.
"I don't think anything of it. I'm my own self," Williams recently said on the "Slow News Day" podcast. "I'm Caleb Williams, No. 13 for the USC Trojans. I don't think too much of it other than, it's respect.
"(Mahomes) has been the best guy in the league since he got in the league - at the highest level he's been playing. I just say respect. The man's got two Super Bowls under his belt, and I've got not even one national championship. … I've been working my tail off to try and be the best."
Williams accounted for 52 touchdowns while passing for 4,537 yards during his first season at USC in 2022. His ability to improvise resembles what Mahomes often does with the Chiefs.
"Every play is successful because he either throws on time or moves and makes it happen. He has that off-script Mahomes factor," an AFC scout told ESPN's Matt Miller.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley said he understands the comparisons between the two QBs.
"There are some similarities," Riley said, according to Connor Morrissette of 247Sports. "I think some of the vision and some of the creative arm angles. Also, the ability to get the ball out is similar."
Mahomes has taken the NFL by storm since being drafted 10th overall in 2017. The Texas Tech product has won two regular-season MVP awards while leading the Chiefs to two titles in three Super Bowl appearances. He also has two Super Bowl MVP honors under his belt.
Mahomes' most iconic game in college came against an Oklahoma team that had Riley as offensive coordinator in 2016. Mahomes finished that contest with 734 yards and five touchdowns passing to go along with 85 yards and two scores on the ground. The Sooners edged the Red Raiders 66-59.