History of Caleb Williams in Timeline

Caleb Williams is an American football quarterback for the Chicago Bears. He was the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after a standout college career playing for the Oklahoma Sooners and USC Trojans. Notably, he won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 while playing for USC, setting a school record for total touchdowns in a single season.

1983: Six Quarterbacks Drafted in First Round

The 1983 NFL Draft saw a record-setting six quarterbacks selected in the first round.

November 18, 2001: Caleb Williams is Born

On November 18, 2001, Caleb Sequan Williams was born in Washington, D.C.

2005: Reggie Bush Wins Heisman Trophy for USC

In 2005, Reggie Bush became the first USC Trojan to win the Heisman Trophy since Matt Leinart in 2004.

2018: Caleb Williams Leads Gonzaga to WCAC Championship

As a sophomore in 2018, Caleb Williams led Gonzaga College High School to the WCAC Championship. He was named Washington Post All-Metropolitan 1st team and Washington, D.C. Gatorade Football Player of the Year.

2019: Caleb Williams Named Washington Post All-Metropolitan 1st Team

For the second year in a row, Caleb Williams was named Washington Post All-Metropolitan 1st team in 2019 as a junior. He was also named the Elite 11 finals MVP the following summer.

2020: Caleb Williams' Senior Season Cancelled Due to COVID-19

Caleb Williams' senior season in 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the highest-rated quarterback prospect in his class, he committed to the University of Oklahoma.

2021: Caleb Williams Leads Oklahoma to Victory Against Texas

In 2021, Caleb Williams became the starting quarterback for Oklahoma mid-way through their rivalry game against Texas. After being down 35-17, Williams led the Sooners to a 55-48 victory.

January 3, 2022: Caleb Williams Transfers to USC

On January 3, 2022, Caleb Williams entered the transfer portal and later announced his transfer to USC, where he reunited with his former coach at Oklahoma, Lincoln Riley.

2022: Caleb Williams Wins the Heisman Trophy

In 2022, while playing for USC, Caleb Williams won the Heisman Trophy and set a single-season school record with 52 total touchdowns.

2023: Caleb Williams Declares for the NFL Draft

Caleb Williams threw for 3,333 yards with 31 passing and 11 rushing touchdowns in 2023. Following the season, he declared for the 2024 NFL draft.

2023: Carolina Panthers Trade First Overall Pick to Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears acquired the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft in a 2023 trade with the Carolina Panthers, who used the pick to draft Bryce Young.

2024: Caleb Williams Ends College Career with Nearly 10,000 Passing Yards

Caleb Williams finished his college career throwing for nearly 10,000 yards with 120 total touchdowns.

2024: Six Quarterbacks Selected in First Round of NFL Draft

Caleb Williams was one of six quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, tying the record set in 1983 for most quarterbacks taken in the first round.