LOS ANGELES — NFL scouts, general managers and coaches flocked to Allyson Felix Field Wednesday morning to watch USC’s Pro Day, with all eyes on presumptive No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.
Among the personnel in attendance were Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus and newly acquired wide receiver Keenan Allen. All three had an opportunity to chat with Williams before his workout started. The Bears have the opportunity to make Williams the franchise’s first overall pick since halfback Bob Fenimore in 1947.
The Trojans’ Pro Day showcased 16 draft prospects, eight of whom also participated in last month’s NFL Combine. Other prospects, like running back Austin Jones, center Justin Dedich, defensive linemen Kyron Barrs, linebacker Shane Lee, defensive lineman Tyrone Taleni, defensive back Max Willaims, long snapper Jac Casasante and punter Aadyn Sleep-Dalton showcased their talents to NFL scouts for the first time ahead of the draft in April.
Before the sun shined high, a layer of morning fog settled over Felix Field to begin the Trojans’ day. Prospects started their routines with the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle.
While almost every prospect participated in the events, Williams took his time getting to the field, showing up halfway through the 40-yard dash in tennis shoes. Williams did not participate in any of the opening drills.
Offensive and defensive linemen began the individual skill exercises. Veteran center Justin Dedich, who has put on 12 pounds since January, showed off his lateral agility, utilizing his quick feet and high-motor athleticism in pad drills.
At 6-foot-2, Dedich models his game after NFL centers of similar size, naming Baltimore Ravens Tyler Linderbaum and future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce as two of his favorites. He admires their grit and aggression in every play.
“Working on run blocking is something I have been trying to focus on,” Dedich said. “If I could get that fixed, I could have a great opportunity at the next level.”
As the sun started peering out from behind the clouds, the defensive backs, including All-American safety Calen Bullock, took the field. Bullock led the defensive backs through various change-of-direction drills, testing prospects’ hip fluidity and foot quickness.
Bullock shined every rep, displaying clean hip motion and a strong burst in both short and long areas. A known ballhawk with nine career interceptions, Bullock showcased his strong hands and tracking ability through every drill. In the final drill of the day, Bullock showed scouts his range as a safety, quickly darting down the field with his eyes tracking the ball for the duration of the rep.
At the next level, Bullock is willing to move from safety to cornerback, feeling comfortable in both positions. Either way, he’s grateful to have contributed to the rich history of elite safeties at USC.
“Feels good to be a part of that safety group, especially knowing the guys and the work they put in here,” Bullock said, being part of a rich history of USC safeties.
With the sun now shining brightly over Felix Field, it was time for the 2022 Heisman winner to put on a show. Surrounded by scouts, general managers and coaches, the buzz around the field was fiery, with everybody trying to get their best look at No.13.
All eyes on number 13. pic.twitter.com/2lHNLpxLZA
— Jude Ocañas (@judocanas) March 20, 2024
Williams’ rotation of pass catchers consisted of Brendan Rice, Tahj Washington, Marshawn Llyod, Austin Jones and former Trojan wideout John Jackson III. The group began light, working in the short area with five-yard flats, slants and check-downs for the running backs.
Rice impressed the most out of the bunch, showcasing his large catch radius and tracking ability. Rice was a prototypical X-receiver at USC, serving as Williams’ go-to jump-ball target for the past two seasons. During this session, however, Rice showed the depth of his game, displaying fluid hips and solid change of direction in his routes.
After a few minutes, the unit started to stretch the field, showcasing Williams’s pin-point accuracy in the intermediate game and letting the receivers get more creative with their routes. Similar to his tape, Williams consistently threw with anticipation, delivering great zip on the ball in all areas of the field.
The play of the day came on Williams’s final pass, as he effortlessly heaved a 70-yard bomb to Rice in the endzone to finish off an impressive throwing script. Williams’s pass was met with immense applause from the crowd of NFL personnel and media.
The next stop for Williams and his teammates is next month’s NFL Draft. For many former Trojans, hearing their name called on the big stage will be the culmination of a childhood dream.