Getty Image / Ron Jenkins
Caleb Williams‘ transfer to USC couldn’t have worked out much better for him.
In his first season with the Trojans, he had them on the cusp of their first trip to the College Football Playoff.
He also racked up 4537 yards and 42 touchdowns on his way to winning the Heisman.
After that incredible season, fans and analysts are already talking about what his NFL career could look like even though he isn’t eligible for the draft until next year.
Yesterday, People revealed where Williams wants to play once he can head to the league.
According to Lanae Brody, Williams said that his first choice would be the Miami Dolphins.
Heisman Winner Caleb Williams Wants to Play for the Miami Dolphins: 'Probably My Number 1 Spot' https://t.co/0VT8QFiOsJ
— People (@people) February 21, 2023
I like to be around younger coaches. I’d probably go to the Dolphins. I also would be able to play with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Mike Gesicki. The defense isn’t bad. That’s probably my number one spot.
There are a couple of pretty big obstacles to Williams landing with his top choice.
The first is that the team currently has Tua Tagovailoa as their starting quarterback. Tua is coming off of the best season of his NFL career in 2022 as he heads into the 4th year of his rookie contract. The Dolphins are certain to exercise his 5th-year option for the 2024 season.
There is also the issue of the Dolphins getting a draft pick that will land them Williams. Right now, Williams is the top prospect in his draft class. Drake Maye could potentially put himself in the running for that top spot with another strong season, but it would be shocking to see Williams taken any later than pick 2 next year.
The Miami Dolphins were a playoff team this year despite Tua missing 4 games. They could be even better next year, which would put them far away from being able to draft Williams.
However, he did add some other names to his list that could be more plausible. Williams also named the 49ers, Falcons, and Raiders as other teams he’d be interested in.
The 49ers definitely won’t be in the quarterback market next year, but there’s a good chance the other 2 teams will be.
The Raiders moved on from Derek Carr, but without a clear plan for what comes next. It could be Aaron Rodgers, but if they don’t land him, they could bring somebody in on a 1-year deal and try to set themselves up to land Williams next year. If that happens, Williams would get to start his NFL career throwing to Davante Adams.
The Falcons finished last season with Desmond Ridder as their starting quarterback, but the rookie didn’t prove himself as a potential franchise QB. They own the 8th pick in this year’s draft, which likely takes them out of the running for the top 2 QBs in the draft.
If they aren’t sold on the rest of their options, they could give Ridder another year and wait until next season to draft a QB. With the Falcons, Williams would get to team up with another USC standout in Drake London and a stud tight end in Kyle Pitts.
Williams’ NFL career is still at least another year away, but there are going to be plenty of fan bases dreaming of having him in their team’s colors until the day he is drafted.