Lincoln Riley Makes Startling Allegation, Saying NFL Star QB’s Departure “Is A Positive”

Caleb Williams has been the face of the USC Trojans the past two seasons since following his coach, Lincoln Riley, from Oklahoma to LA two years ago.

Williams suddenly turned into one of the most polarizing players in all of college football and in his first season at USC, accomplished just about every feat possible.
The dual-threat QB became the University of Southern California’s eighth Heisman winner when he was announced as the recipient of the 88th Heisman Memorial Trophy following a sophomore season in which he also won the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards and the 2022 AP Player of the Year honor.

Caleb Williams, Lincoln Riley, Lincoln Riley Caleb. Williams, Caleb Williams USC
The 6-foot-1 Williams, who transferred to USC as a sophomore, threw for 4,075 yards on 296-of-448 passing (66.1%) with a national co-leading 37 touchdown passes against just four interceptions. His passing yards was fourth-most nationally, his quarterback rating (167.94) was fifth-best and his passing yards per game (313.5) were sixth-best.

Caleb Williams joined USC’s previous Heisman winners Reggie Bush (2005), Matt Leinart (2004), Carson Palmer (2002), Marcus Allen (1981), Charles White (1979), O.J., Simpson (1968) and Mike Garrett (1965).

He finished the 2022 regular season third nationally in total offense with 4,447 yards with a total that broke USC’s school record (4,225, 2017). He also rushed for 372 yards (the most at USC in at least 70 years) on 109 carries with a team-best 10 TDs. Williams’ 47 total touchdowns led the country, as did his 282 points responsible for while his total touchdowns were a school record. He threw for over 300 yards seven times, including twice over 400 yards.

USC finished the year with a (11-3) record and just missed out on competing in the College Football Playoff.

Caleb Williams completed his first season at USC in record-setting fashion at the Cotton Bowl Classic, throwing for 462 yards and five TDs — both bowl game records — in a tough 46-45 loss to Tulane.
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Nov 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory
Williams and the Trojans took a step back in 2023, finishing (8-5.). Regression was felt in nearly every phase, including Williams. However, last year’s team also produced one of the worst defenses in the country, ranking 118th in scoring defense.

The USC QB still finished last season with 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and just five interceptions. When the NFL Draft came around in April, there was no question the Chicago Bears were selecting him first overall.
One would believe Riley would be concerned about a massive drop off after losing a quarterback many experts label as a “generational talent” but the USC head coach has a surprising perspective regarding Williams leaving for the NFL.

Lincoln Riley Thinks Caleb Williams Leaving USC Can Be A Positive For Trojans
Caleb Williams, Lincoln Riley, Lincoln Riley Caleb. Williams, Caleb Williams USC
Apr 26, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears number one draft choice Caleb Williams poses for a photo at a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
In a recent interview on Big Ten Today, Riley was asked about the departure of Williams from the program and gave a somewhat shocking response.

“It honestly can be a positive,” Riley said. “Tennessee won their first championship here in the modern era the year after Peyton Manning left. A lot gets made of it because when you do have a player that wins some awards or does some of the great things like others that we’ve had have done, and like Caleb did for us, there becomes from the outside so much attention on that one player. But it’s still a team game, and it’s still the other 21 guys that are starting on either side of the ball, the special teams, the depth of your roster — all of those things are ultimately what wins.”

Caleb Williams’ replacement for the upcoming season looks to be Miller Moss. The redshirt junior has been playing mostly backup in his three years at USC. But he looked phenomenal in the Trojans’ bowl game against Louisville this past season.
The USC head coach continued to reiterate the belief in his team without the recent star QB.

“Sure, it’s great to have those guys, but we’re doing a lot of building,” Riley said. “Guys that we’ve lost that have been No. 1 overall picks or won the Heisman or whatever it was, there’s always been that sentiment of, ‘Oh my God. How are you going to survive next year?’ And we’ve tended to do okay, so I think we will again.”