USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams put on another stunning display Saturday that left Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt trying to define his greatness.
Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and a leading candidate to repeat, threw for 405 yards and six touchdowns in a 48-41 road win over the Colorado Buffaloes.
After Williams’ sixth TD pass of the game, Klatt and play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson talked about projections that Williams will be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Klatt took it a step further.
“I think he would probably upgrade 18 NFL teams next week,” Klatt said. “Think about that. … Everyone keeps saying, ‘You can’t (say that), it’s hyperbole.'”
Klatt proceeded to explain why he felt comfortable saying that.
“There’s about five areas that a quarterback has to be really good,” Klatt said. “You’ve got to be great with your mind, you’ve got to have arm talent, (be) good in the pocket, got to be a threat with your legs, and you have to be able to create.
“He’s the only guy I’ve ever evaluated that is great to elite in all five categories. Everybody else has had a hole in that wheel somewhere.”
Fox's Joel Klatt on USC QB Caleb Williams: "I think he would probably upgrade 18 NFL teams next week."
"He's the only guy I've ever evaluated that is great to elite in all five categories. Everybody else has had a hole in that wheel somewhere." 🏈🎙️pic.twitter.com/1dJyNOuOgI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 30, 2023
That’s high praise, considering the talented quarterbacks that have come along just in the past few years, from Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow to Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts.
According to Klatt, a former college quarterback himself, none of them measured up to Williams.
It’s a bold claim, but there’s no question NFL teams are very high on Williams at the next level. It’s why many fans of NFL bottom feeders are practically demanding their teams tank this season to try to land the “Caleb Williams draft pick.”
Fans had mixed thoughts about Klatt’s comments.
They said this about Johnny Football
— litman (@_litman) September 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/Prettymarissa9/status/1708195151741382960
I’m sorry, this is just a ridiculous thing to say. @joelklatt 18 teams? Cmon man. Relax.
— Cash (@Cashionals) September 30, 2023
I think he’s obviously being facetious.
But, 9 months from now go down the list of NFL teams & if they had to choose either:
•current starting QB
•Draft Caleb WilliamsYou don’t think 18 teams would choose the 2nd option?
(if so, you don’t think they’d also do it RIGHT now?)
— Errant Jaeger (@Regelitoo) September 30, 2023
Nothing he does is wildly impressive. Literally nothing. He’s playing against weak defenses with an overpowered offense. He has virtually zero adversity. What’s he going to do when the DEs run faster than him? How’s he going to handle all his WRs being covered up? POORLY! 👌🏼
— Mike Butor (@phittisit) September 30, 2023
Caleb is overrated. Y’all will see next year
— Ryan (@ryanf3119) September 30, 2023
Does Joel Klatt get paid by Fox or USC
— Bob L (@BobL07617725) September 30, 2023
