USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams did not play in the team’s Holiday Bowl victory Wednesday night, but he was still a hot topic on X/Twitter, for a totally unexpected reason.
The Trojans announced in early December that Williams would not play in the bowl game against the Louisville Cardinals. No reason was given, but the assumption among many is that Williams will declare for the 2024 NFL Draft; college stars bound for the NFL frequently skip their team’s bowl game.
So with Williams watching from the sidelines, redshirt sophomore Miller Moss made his first career start and lit up the scoreboard, throwing for 382 yards and six touchdowns in a 42-28 win.
The game had barely reached the second half before many fans began asking a crazy question: Is Caleb Williams a “system quarterback?”
Let’s be clear — the experts would say that is a crazy thought. NFL scouts believe the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner will be a franchise player for some team. If Williams declares for the 2024 Draft he may go No. 1 overall.
So the experts tell us it’s crazy to say Williams is a “system quarterback.” Of course, crazy hot takes are the fuel that powers X/Twitter. Williams’ name trended along with Moss on Wednesday night.
How Miller Moss is playing tonight just shows that Lincoln Riley QB’s have it easier than any other QB in the nation for the most part, and that have to be looked at when you look at Caleb Williams. Then you go watch, UNC play and see just how hard Drake Maye carries them
— TarPack Podcast (@JBEAR_YT) December 28, 2023
I'm going to skip the "Caleb Williams is a system Quarterback" tweets and go to the "Miller Moss is really good" tweets. https://t.co/BazqTvG01E
— Nick Barrett (@TheFootballNick) December 28, 2023
Is Caleb Williams a system Quarterback?🤔 https://t.co/738F2XWRcd
— 𝒥𝐸𝑅𝐸𝑀𝒴⚡️ (@JeremyBrigman) December 28, 2023
Is Caleb Williams a system quarterback? My column: pic.twitter.com/v2q6lJfo5y
— Ocho (@ocho_bingo) December 28, 2023
Watching Moss’s success tonight makes one wonder if Caleb Williams is just a system quarterback? pic.twitter.com/24x34LMrkV
— KC Bubba (@bdentrek) December 28, 2023
Who’s gonna be the first sports television show to do the “Are we sure Caleb Williams isn’t a system quarterback?” Around draft time? 😂
— Brock (@BBennett1992) December 28, 2023
Lincoln Riley’s system also produced Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray (both ended up 1st overall but never lived up to their draft status in the NFL)… and also Jalen Hurts (who appears to be a system QB for sure)
Its a valid question about Caleb being a product of a system IMO
— Lightning Strike (@ChargersCommish) December 28, 2023
[Memes]
