Big Board ranking: #1

Positional ranking: #1

 

Overview

Position: QB

College: USC

Class: Junior

Age: 22

 

Measurables

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 214 lbs.

Arm length: 32″

Hand size: 9 3/4″

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: N/A

10-yard split: N/A

Vertical jump: N/A

Broad jump: N/A

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

A++ arm talent. High-end football intelligence. Sees the entire field at a high level. Sensational playmaking and creativity. Able to deliver the ball with pinpoint accuracy from various platforms and arm angles. Release is very quick and smooth. Terrific throw power and velocity. Launches the deep ball. Great touch and places the ball over the outside shoulder on downfield passes. Very willing to uncork the deep ball. Leads pass-catchers with perfect depth on corner routes. Delivers strikes on both short and deeper in-breaking routes. Fantastic timing and accuracy to pull pass-catchers away from coverage on deep stop routes. Fits the ball in on bullet fades. Shows feathery touch over the middle. Can layer throws over defenders. Ultra-rare feel as a scrambler and keeps his eyes downfield. Phenomenal on-the-move accuracy. Whips throws accurately while scrambling either way. Tremendous backside field vision. Shows an ability to slide up and make accurate throws from the pocket. Quick feet and hips. Understanding of how to get throws off versus pressure. Natural accuracy when fading away. Strong to break sacks and tackles. Great ball handling and decisiveness on RPOs. Extremely elusive. Outstanding speed in the open field. Great vision as a runner and will show physicality when needed. Dangerous on zone reads. Accelerates to capture the corner.

 

Weaknesses

Would like to see more willingness to play within the structure of the offense. Needs to be more willing to take underneath routes. Will see check downs but hunt for a big play instead. Can get reckless trying to make things happen and absorbs sacks. Will want to escape pocket and have mechanics falter at times versus pressure. Did not see the field or anticipate well versus Notre Dame (2023).

 

NFL comparison

Patrick Mahomes

 

Conclusion

Overall, Williams is a top-tier quarterback prospect with rare arm talent, creativity, intelligence, and feel for the game. The positives far outweigh some of the flaws, and he could quickly become one of the NFL’s best players in the right situation.