Winner of the Heisman After formally leaving USC, Caleb Williams enters the NFL draft.

LOS ANGELES After two successful seasons, quarterback Caleb Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy, has officially entered the NFL draft and left Southern California.

Williams revealed his much-awaited news on social media on Monday, the last day for freshmen to sign up for the draft.

He is seen as the overwhelming favorite to be chosen as the first pick in the draft, which gets underway on April 25. At the moment, the first pick belongs to the Chicago Bears.

In his Instagram post announcing the choice, Williams stated, “I’m ready to do whatever it takes. I still have a lot to learn.” “When I was younger, I thought that this was what I would do for the rest of my life, but I didn’t have to work this hard to get here.

To make that tiny child proud of the man I will become for many years to come, I will keep moving forward on my journey. I’m thrilled about the future and have formally submitted my NFL draft application.

Williams tossed for 10,082 yards with 93 touchdowns and 14 interceptions during three collegiate seasons at Oklahoma and USC. Following coach Lincoln Riley from Norman to the West Coast, he became the Trojans’ seventh Heisman Trophy winner in 2022. Last fall, despite the team’s 8-5 record, he produced yet another outstanding statistical season.

Regarded as one of the best quarterback prospects to enter the NFL in recent seasons, the native of the Washington, D.C. region During his Heisman season, Williams guided the Trojans to a huge one-year improvement and a Cotton Bowl berth with his strong arm, excellent elusiveness, and playmaking prowess.

Despite having one of the weakest defenses in NCAA football, the Trojans finished the season significantly worse, but Williams still showed enough exceptional talent to be the most sought-after quarterback in the country.

Williams does not consider himself a running quarterback, but his skill set is well-rounded because he has ran for 21 touchdowns in the last two USC seasons.

Justin Fields has been the Bears’ starting quarterback for the majority of the previous three seasons since they selected him with the 11th overall pick, but Williams will have the first opportunity to join the team as the focal point. The Washington Commanders, Williams’ hometown team, have the second pick in the draft, while rebuilding New England is ranked third.

The Trojans have expected Williams’ departure for months, even though he waited until the very last day to declare for the draft. Williams was not there in the Holiday Bowl, when backup quarterback Miller Moss set a bowl record with six touchdown passes and seemed like the unexpected favorite to take Williams’ job when he returns to USC in the autumn.

TROJANS: Eric Henderson, the defensive line coach, is leaving the Los Angeles Rams to become the co-defensive coordinator on Lincoln Riley’s staff at Southern California. Under new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, Henderson will also serve as the Trojans’ run game coordinator and defensive line coach. Over the course of his five seasons as the defensive line coach for the Rams, Henderson forged a close relationship with eight-time All-Pro Aaron Donald.