Caleb Williams: A Statistical Breakdown of the 2023 USC Campaign

Caleb Williams concluded his 2023 season with 3,633 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, showcasing elite production despite a challenging year for the Trojans.

Caleb Williams finished the 2023 collegiate season with 3,633 passing yards, completing 266 of his 388 attempts for a 68.6% completion rate. The USC signal-caller accounted for 30 passing touchdowns against just five interceptions, maintaining a quarterback rating of 170.1. On the ground, he added 11 rushing scores, though his net rushing yardage sat at 142 yards across 97 carries due to 33 sacks taken for a loss of 247 yards. These figures represent a slight statistical dip from his 2022 Heisman-winning campaign where he threw for 4,537 yards and 42 scores.

Specific game data highlights his volatility under pressure, notably during the October 14 matchup against Notre Dame. In that contest, Williams suffered three interceptions and was sacked six times, finishing with a season-low passer rating of 95.4. Conversely, his performance against Colorado on September 30 saw him achieve a season-high six passing touchdowns while completing 30 of 40 passes for 403 yards. His efficiency in the red zone remained a hallmark of his play, as he orchestrated a scoring offense that averaged 41.8 points per game throughout the first nine weeks of the schedule.

Advanced metrics from the 2023 season show that Williams averaged 9.4 yards per attempt, ranking him among the top ten nationally in that category. He recorded 11 games with at least one passing touchdown and five games where he surpassed the 300-yard mark through the air. His longest completion of the year was a 76-yard strike, contributing to a total of 3,775 yards of total offense. Despite these high-volume numbers, the Trojans finished the regular season with a 7-5 record, losing five of their final six games.

Ball security became a focal point for scouts as Williams fumbled 16 times during his final year at USC. While he only lost a fraction of those, the frequency of the ball hitting the turf raised concerns regarding his pocket management. He averaged 3.14 seconds to throw, one of the longest durations in the country, which contributed to his high sack total. His ability to extend plays resulted in 21 of his touchdowns coming after he moved outside the initial pocket structure.

In terms of situational football, Williams converted 44.2% of third-down opportunities via his arm or legs. During the fourth quarter of games where the score was within one possession, he maintained a 64% completion percentage. His final collegiate appearance against UCLA saw him throw for 384 yards and one touchdown on 31 completions. He opted out of the Holiday Bowl against Louisville to begin preparations for the professional transition, ending his three-year college career with 10,082 total passing yards and 93 aerial touchdowns.