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Summary:
- The Chicago Bears made USC quarterback Caleb Williams their No. 1 choice in the NFL Draft.
- The 22-year-old is considered one of the most skilled players to make their way out of college in recent years.
- A record number of six quarterbacks were picked in front of 250,000 fans.
As anticipated, the Chicago Bears named 22-year-old USC quarterback Caleb Williams the Number 1 choice for the 2024 NFL Draft in front of 250,000 fans in downtown Detroit.
The 6-1, 215-pounder was widely regarded as the top prospect in the draft class that was packed with skilled quarterbacks.
Considered one of the most talented college players in the last few years, Williams joined five other quarterbacks who were taken in the first 12 NFL Draft picks, alongside 14 straight offensive players.
For the first time in the Draft’s history, no defensive players were selected in the top 10.
Remarkable Results for Williams
Williams, who appeared in 37 college games with 33 starts over three seasons at Oklahoma in 2021 and University of Southern California in 2022-23, completed close to 70% of his passes for 9,782 yards, boasting 14 interceptions and 93 touchdowns and rushing for 966 yards and 27 touchdowns on 289 carries.
In 2022, while he was a sophomore at USC, the player took home the Heisman Trophy after passing for 4,537 yards with 42 touchdowns and five interceptions and rushing for 382 yards and 10 touchdowns on 113 attempts.
His wall of trophies also features a Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award as he was selected college football’s top player and named AP College Football Player of the Year and Sporting News Player of the Year.
After the draft, Williams gave a moving interview, calling it “an honor and a privilege” to be selected while expressing his love for fans, the community, players, the coaches, and the team.
A Few Shocking Choices
For the fourth time in history, the first three picks were quarterbacks as Williams was joined by Jayden Daniels who was picked by the Washington Commanders, and Drake Maye who was taken by the New England Patriots.
The evening also brought some unexpected picks, with the Atlanta Falcons shocking the public when selecting Washington’s quarterback, Michael Penix Jr, despite the deal signed for Kirk Cousins in the off-season for $100 million.
The Minnesota Vikings selected the winner of the college National Championship with Michigan, JJ McCarthy, as their new quarterback.
Finally, the Denver Broncos took the sixth quarterback of the evening off the board by selecting Oregon’s Bo Nix with the 12th pick.
The first 14 picks also included four offensive linemen, three wide receivers, and a tight end. Laiatu Latu was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, turning into the first defensive player to be selected.
The second round of the draft will carry on with six additional rounds of selection on Friday and Saturday.
