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Just over a year ago, Caleb Williams was still enrolled at the University of Oklahoma with zero connection to the USC Trojans.
In just one year at USC, he has led the Trojans to a resurgent 11-3 season, appeared in both the Pac-12 Championship and the Cotton Bowl, became a Heisman Trophy winner and even helped cheer on the basketball team to a win over crosstown rival UCLA last week.
Williams is even bringing some USC families closer together.
“I think he’s made it a lot better because it made me connect with my dad more,” said sophomore Quentin Tindell. “My dad is a very big sports fan, and I’m not. And getting to represent my school and finally understand what he likes sports-wise was really cool. We got to talking and hanging out more and it meant a lot to me.”
Since becoming a Trojan, Williams has proven himself to be a bona fide celebrity in a city that knows a thing or two about celebrities. This weekend, he was named the honorary starter for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. But even through his fame, he is often seen walking around campus, living the life of a student and an athlete.
Even casual fans recognize the star.
“I don’t follow football too much, but he is famous around here,” freshman Connor McGartland said.
With all his success in one year, Williams seems destined for NFL stardom, but, due to NFL rules, will return for a second and likely final season with the Trojans.
Despite only being at USC for such a short time, his impact on the USC community has been profound, according to USC students. When Williams decided to follow his Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley to Los Angeles, his explosiveness and impact was not limited to the gridiron, but the USC campus as a whole.
Sophomore Sarah Tupy claimed that there is a very stark difference between students’ connection to the football team this year as opposed to last year.
“I mean, attendance in general was crazy high compared to last year,” Tupy said. “It was kind of sad having so many empty seats last year.”
Tupy attributed the change in attendance directly to Williams, saying, “I know people who aren’t really into football and they buy the season tickets just to see Caleb Williams.”
And despite his status on campus, he is still just another student to many.
“I see him around campus and I’ll say hi to him,” said freshman Bennett Patterson. “He’s just a super nice guy.”