Caleb Williams Shows He’s The Ultimate Team-First Guy During Heisman Trophy Acceptance Speech

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USC Trojans gunslinger Caleb Williams may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Williams, a sophomore, is as confident as he is talented and he isn’t afraid to show it.

But sometimes that confidence can rub people the wrong way. Despite throwing for 4,075 yards, 37 touchdowns and four interceptions while leading USC to an 11-2 record, some Heisman Trophy voters took exception to Williams’ charismatic displays.

Thankfully, those voters did not prove to be substantial. Williams won the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night ahead of fellow quarterbacks Max Duggan of TCU, C.J. Stroud of Ohio State and Stetson Bennett of Georgia. Williams received 77.37 percent of all possible votes, the 12th-best all-time according to Ralph Russo of the Associated Press.

Williams then took the time to credit each of the other three finalists during his acceptance speech. While doing so, he also showed off the team-first mentality that has him at the top of 2024 NFL Draft boards.

Caleb Williams Points Out One Downside Of Standing On Heisman Trophy Stage

Both by numbers and by narrative, Williams was the right pick to win the Heisman Trophy. Though he’ll have to enjoy the victory while playing in the Cotton Bowl against Tulane.

That’s because the Trojans, unlike the Bulldogs, Buckeyes and Horned Frogs, will not be a part of the College Football Playoff. And that clearly still bothers Williams.

“I may be standing up here today, but y’all get to go to the College Football Playoffs,” he said with a laugh during his acceptance speech.

The comment also drew laughs from each of Bennett, Duggan and Stroud.

The Trojans were in line for a playoff appearance entering the Pac-12 championship game, but a 47-24 blowout loss to Utah put those hopes to bed. Luckily, Williams will be back next year and USC figures to enter the season as a favorite to make their first-ever playoff appearance.