How does QB Daniels compare to USC’s Williams?
Caleb Williams is highly expected to be the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner for USC football did nothing to dissuade teams — especially the Chicago Bears — of that notion in 2023: The Bears even traded incumbent starter Justin Fields to clear the air. However, 2023 Heisman winner and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is making some ponder the decision following a historic season for the Tigers.
Indeed, one NFL coach who spoke to ESPN’s Adam Schefter said he would take Daniels over Williams. The coach does not have a need for a quarterback in this draft.
“It’s a no-brainer to me,” the coach said to Schefter. “Jayden looks like the best guy in this draft.”
In his report, Schefter went on to add that the signs continue to point to the Washington Commanders taking Daniels No. 2 overall. Another coach also had high praise for Daniels, comparing him favorably to another firstround selection coming out of college:
“If you pick Daniels, you’re getting (Lamar Jackson) 2.0, but he’s further along as a passer than Lamar was when he came out,” the coach said.
Here’s how Daniels compares to Williams during his collegiate career, along with a look at the history of firstround selected QBs for LSU:
Jayden Daniels vs. Caleb Williams stats
Daniels threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and just four interceptions on 236-for-327 passing (72.2%) in 2023. He added 1,134 rushing yards with 10 rushing scores on the ground in his 2023 Heisman campaign. He
posted a 20-7 record in two seasons with the Tigers after beginning his career at Arizona State under coach Herm Edwards.
Williams passed for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions last season, completing 266 of 388 passes (68.6%) for the Trojans. In his Heisman campaign, he completed 333 of 500 passes (66.6%) for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions, adding 382 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Williams began his career at Oklahoma before transferring after one season when Lincoln Riley took the USC coaching position.
Here's how the two players compare statistically:
Jayden Daniels
Career: 953-for-1,438 passing (66.3%), 12,750 career passing yards, 89 career passing touchdowns, 20 career interceptions, 158.4 career passer rating; 3,307 career rushing yards and 35 career rushing touchdowns
2019: 205-for-338 (60.7%) passing, 2,943 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 149.2 passer rating; 325 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns
2020: 49-for-84 (58.3%) passing, 701 passing yards, 5 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 145.7 passer rating; 325 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns
2021: 197-for-301 (65.4%) passing, 2,381 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 136.2 passer rating; 710 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns
2022: 266-for-388 (68.6%) passing, 2,913 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 144.5 passer rating; 885 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns
2023: 236-for-327 (72.2%) passing, 3,812 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 208.0 passer rating; 1,134 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns
Caleb Williams
Career: 735-for-1,099 passing (66.9%), 10,082 career passing yards, 93 career passing touchdowns, 14 career interceptions, 169.3 career passer rating; 966 career rushing yards and 27 career rushing touchdowns
2021: 136-for-211 (64.5%) passing, 1,912 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 169.6 passer rating; 442 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns
2022: 333-for-500 (66.6%) passing, 4,537 passing yards, 42 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 168.5 passer rating; 382 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns
2023: 266-for-388 (68.6%) passing, 3,633 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 180.1 passer rating; 142 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns
Jayden Daniels vs. Caleb Williams NFL combine results, measurables
As the presumed No. 1 overall pick in the entire process leading up to the NFL Draft, Williams elected not to do many of the field activities. Daniels opted out of on-field acitivies at the NFL combine, but did perform at LSU's Pro Day. Here's how the two compare.
Jayden Daniels:
Height: 6 feet, 3 5/8 inches
Weight: 210 pounds
Hand size: 9 3/8 inches
Arm span: 32 1/2 inches
Wing span: 76 3/4 inches
40-yard dash: Did Not Participate
Bench press (225 pounds): Did Not Participate
Vertical jump: Did Not Participate
Broad jump: Did Not Participate
3-cone drill: Did Not Participate
Shuttle run: Did Not Participate
Caleb Williams:
Height: 6-foot-1 1/8 inches
Weight: 214 pounds
Hand size: 9 3/4 inches
Arm span: 32 inches
Wing span: 75.88 inches
40-yard dash: Did Not Participate
Bench press (225 pounds):
Not Participate
Vertical jump: Did Not Participate
Broad jump: Did Not Participate
3-cone drill: Did Not Participate
Shuttle run: Did Not Participate
History of LSU Round 1 quarterbacks selected
Did
Daniels will become the fifth LSU quarterback selected in the first round, barring an unexpected draft day slide. Y.A. Tittle was the first and second Tigers' QB selected in the first round. He was taken No. 6 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1948 NFL Draft, but instead opted to sign with the rival All-American Football Conference and the Baltimore Colts. In 1950, the Colts joined the NFL and were dissolved a year later, when Tittle was placed back in the NFL Draft and picked third overall by the San Francisco 49ers.
Bert Jones was the next LSU QB selected No. 2 overall in the 1973 NFL Draft, and then JaMarcus Russell went No. 1 overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. Joe Burrow was selected No. 1 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft after leading the Tigers to a national championship and a historic offensive season.
1948: Y.A. Tittle (No. 6 overall), Detroit Lions — never played for Lions
1951: Y.A. Tittle (No. 3), San Francisco 49ers
1973: Bert Jones (No. 2 overall), Baltimore Ravens
2007: JaMarcus Russell (No. 1), Oakland Raiders
2020: Joe Burrow (No. 1), Cincinnati Bengals