Williams, idle in Indy, all set for draft’s top teams

Pete Thamel, ESPNFeb 28, 2024, 08:59 AM ET INDIANAPOLIS– Former USC quarterback Caleb Williams deeply admires Michael Jordan and Walter Payton, enjoys deep-dish pizza and told ESPN he would be “thrilled” if the Chicago Bears take him No. 1 general in the 2024 NFL draft.Entering the NFL

combine, Williams is the favorite to be the leading pick in April. In his first public remarks given that declaring for the draft in January, Williams spoke in depth about the Bears, unveiled his combine plan and assessed a journey to the NFL that is nearing a conclusion.”This is what I’ve been preparing for my

entire life,”Williams informed ESPN by phone Tuesday.” Because I was 10 or 11, this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. At that age until now, it generally feels like your whole life. “I’m delighted. I’m prepared to get back on a football team around my teammates and my siblings– my new brothers now.”Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Where those new teammates are located stays one of the most appealing questions surrounding the draft.Williams invested much of the

interview with ESPN going over the Bears, whom he has actually long been linked to offered they hold the No. 1 choice and he is the consensus wagering favorite to be the draft’s top choice.”If I get prepared by the Bears, I’ll be excited,”he stated. “If they trade the pick, and I get drafted by another person, I’m simply as excited.

Discussing Chicago, they have a talented group, a talented offense and defense. For anybody to be because circumstance, I believe they ‘d be excited.”Williams pushed back on any idea that he would request a trade or wishes to play somewhere else.”

I’m not pressing any agenda,”Williams stated.”At the end of the day, the Bears have the last say

. Despite how I feel, I’m not pressing a program of, ‘Yeah, I want to go. Or no, I don’t want to go.’I’m delighted for whatever comes. “Williams said he is eager for his”first date “with Chicago, with a conference planned in Indianapolis today, and he worried the significance of the very first impression.He said he was captivated to become aware of the Bears’plans and discover what the company resembles and

the vision progressing. Chicago hasn’t won a playoff game since 2010 and has simply two winning seasons considering that. “Just the consistent growth and modification, that is essential whether you are a quarterback or pass receiver or a general manager or an owner or an organization,”Williams said of what he’s trying to find.”Simply a healthy situation– in the center, with the players– and simply a location that actually wants to win.” Williams stated he has been to Chicago once, has actually heard good ideas about the rowdiness of Bears fans, and has actually decreased video bunny holes

studying both Jordan and Payton, two of the city’s most renowned athletes.”I’m 22. I didn’t really get to see those players,”Williams stated.”As the stating goes, the legends reside on.

That’s my objective of playing football– it’s not cash, it’s not fame … it’s to be never-ceasing. I wish to reach that sense of being a legend. Being at the table … and having a rightful seat through effort and energy and time I have actually taken into this game that we all like.”It’s interesting be in a city like that. With legends that you have actually looked up to … reach for the requirement they set

and try to do anything to get there. “Williams’next most speculated destination is the Washington Commanders, who have the No. 2

pick. That union would mark a return home for Williams, who matured in the area and attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington.”It ‘d be truly cool since it’s so familiar,” he stated.”There’s a time and place for whatever.

My task and my pastime is being at the center or on the field or seeing film. Or relaxing and prepping for the next day or game.”My primary objective and focus … is to go win games and stay concentrated on keeping the primary objective the main objective.”Williams stated he is not going to work out at

the integrate but will toss at USC’s professional day on March 20. He is likewise not preparing to do medical screening at the integrate but will do that in his specific check outs with teams.He is not preparing to sign with an NFL representative, stating he has a” entire group “of attorneys and advisers to deal with contracts and recommendations.” Everybody believes I’m a one-man group,”

Williams stated, referencing the symphony of work that makes an F1 group go.” That’s just not the case. “He is planning to consult with the media in Indianapolis.”I want everybody to hear me and get a feel for who I am … so they’re not throwing things out there that are incorrect or that isn’t coming from me,”

Williams said.What should they expect to hear?”Having the ability to see who I am as an individual and my heart and love for football and winning games,”Williams said.”That’s what I believe they’ll obtain from it, and my intensity about being on a team and

going out there and kicking ass with my new

bros. That’s what I’m ecstatic about. That’s who I am.” Caleb Williams will wait until USC’s pro day on March 20 to exercise for NFL groups. Ryan Sun/AP Williams completed his three-year college career– one season at Oklahoma and 2 at USC– with 93 goal passes and 14 interceptions. He tossed for 10,082 yards, ran for 966 more and assembled 27 hurrying touchdowns.Since USC’s season ended, Williams stated he exercised in Los Angeles to stay in shape and, early on, did a lot of mental work to get ready for the NFL. (He likewise took a quick trip to Tokyo, where he delighted in food that was”out of this world,”highlighted by Wagyu steak.”I’m not even a red meat sort of guy,”he said.) The early psychological work included studying defenses, fronts, blitzes, protections and defenses and interacting plays in the huddle. Williams said in college he hardly ever

gathered but pointed out he supervised of interacting the play, as opposed to schools that want to the sideline for plays.More just recently, he has actually been working out in Florida with noted quarterback trainer Will Hewlett, who trains Brock Purdy and others, and performance coach Tom Gormely. Other players Williams is working out

with include Mason Rudolph, Emory Jones and Nate Peterman.Asked specifically what he was concentrating on in exercises, Williams said basically whatever.”We’re aiming for the stars and attempting to quibble the little things, “he stated.”They end up being big things in a long season. There’s nothing actually that we’re not

working on. … I am a perfectionist, and I want to be ideal. In truth you can’t.

“When asked whether he had more nerves or excitement about the upcoming weeks, Williams again discussed how much he was looking forward to having a group to develop a rapport with. “It’s not stress and anxiety or anything like that, “he said. “I can’t wait to

say my very first cadence. No matter how great or bad, with me switching up the playcall, messing up or not messing it up in practice. Whatever the case may be. I can’t await that moment, that minicamp

minute.”