Coach Prime admiring Caleb Williams’ journey to superstardom
USC quarterback Caleb Williams glances up at the scoreboard during drills before Pac-12 Championship Game against Utah Friday December 2, 2022 at Allegiant Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
BOULDER, Colo. — Deion ‘Coach Prime’ Sanders knows all about being the big man on campus, and what comes with the territory.
After all, the former cornerback was a two-time, All-American and Thorpe Award winner at Florida State. Not to mention he introduced the College Football world to a higher level of swagger. Coach Prime was successful, and never afraid to take risks, but that created a large amount of critics for him along the way.
It’s no mystery that success brings scrutiny. Often times achievement unfairly places the villain tag on an individual. So being able to roll with the punches, and rise to the occasion is something Coach Prime can relate to in USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
There’s some resemblance in their journeys of taking the world by storm, accomplishing amazing feats and proving the doubters wrong. Last season Williams broke USC’s record for passing yards, and touchdown tosses, plus he won the Heisman. The former five-star prospect has pretty much picked up where he left off this season, and has the Trojans undefeated, and ranked eighth in the AP Poll. Williams’ experience, leadership and production is what Coach Prime greatly admires.
“The kid is a playmaker, deserves the Heisman Trophy a year ago, which he secured,” Coach Prime said. “I love to see his personality on commercials, and pressers.”
Williams was criticized for what he put on his fingernails in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Utah. However, Williams flipped the fingernail ordeal on his critics, and added it to his Dr. Pepper commercial. Obviously he’s not afraid to express himself, knows how to handle adversity, and his NIL deals are through the roof. Coach Prime believes Williams is an ideal student-athlete because of it, and is doing wonders for USC this season.
“He’s the epitome of class, and confidence with what he brings to the table,” he said. “He makes plays, he makes that team go.”
Williams leads the FBS in passing efficiency, and ranks second with 15 touchdown tosses. The Washington D.C. native is 14th nationally in total offense, and passing yards. On top of that, the Trojans lead the country in scoring offense, and are No. 3 in total yards per game.
Coach Prime knows his defense has another daunting task of slowing down Williams and his speedy receivers. Colorado has already ruled out its’ star defender Travis Hunter for Saturday’s clash. Safety Shilo Sanders, who’s the Buffaloes second-leading tackler, remains questionable after he was hospitalized after the Oregon game.
USC Coach Lincoln Riley will definitely try to air it out with Williams. Colorado currently ranks 125th nationally in total defense, including 111th against the pass. USC (4-0) has never lost to Colorado, and Williams is going to try to keep that narrative the same. There’s no denying Williams will be the best quarterback Coach Prime’s defense will face this season. So Coach Prime will find out how much improvement his defense made after the Oregon loss.
Regardless, the Buffaloes have to deal with the projected top pick in next year’s NFL Draft. Which is why Coach Prime feels his defense is going to have a slim margin for error against Williams.
“He’s a handful.”
