Head Coach Lincoln Riley has been instrumental in shaping the USC Trojans football program. Last year, he took over a historically rich program and deftly built a roster using the transfer portal. His most significant move was bringing Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, to lead the Trojans’ offense as their quarterback.

Many have drawn parallels between his performance and that of Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs and a two-time Super Bowl champion. However, the USC head coach emphasizes that Williams has a long way to go before reaching Mahomes’ status. Riley recently shared his perspective on his protegee on Good Morning Football. 

Coach Lincoln Riley believes Williams must “continue to grow”

Riley says that Caleb Williams is still “very young as a QB” and that, “there is so much more” for him in his NFL years ahead with a new team and setup. Williams is often linked to Patrick Mahomes, the standout star of the Kansas City Chiefs, due to his exceptional arm strength, precision passing, and innate football instincts. Riley opines that Mahomes has already established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and to do so one must “believe” in the possibility. Now as he is going to transition into professional football, he must “continue to grow” and improve his performance. This belief is what he sees in Williams as well. Williams is highly anticipated to be the No.1 overall pick in the upcoming 2024 Draft season for the Chicago Bears.

The only “challenge” that Caleb William faces according to Riley is to continue to improve his performance statistics, something that Mahomes has been able to achieve league after league. “He has a unique ability to create and do special things,” he further states something common between the two quarterbacks.

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It is interesting to note that Riley is not the only one to draw parallels between the two. Colin Cowherd also sees similarities between Caleb Williams and Patrick Mahomes, highlighting their running ability, creative arm angles, and accuracy. Given his impressive stats from last season,

Williams, who is particularly adept at making “layup throws,” is projected by Cowherd to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Despite the flattering comparison, Williams remains focused on his development, aiming to carve his path to greatness while acknowledging Mahomes’ achievements and track record.

Does Caleb Williams really resemble Patrick Mahomes? 

Caleb Williams’ playing style draws comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, particularly in their innovative approaches to the quarterback position. While these parallels are notable, they also reveal distinctions between the two players. Williams demonstrates a willingness to hold onto the ball longer, akin to Mahomes, challenging traditional notions of quick releases. However, he faces challenges in sack avoidance and arm strength, areas where Mahomes excels.

Despite sharing traits like sidearm throws and improvisational skills, Williams has yet to reach the same level of effectiveness as the two-time MVP. Statistically, Mahomes averaged 2.81 seconds per throw in college, while Williams’ average stands at 3.27 seconds.

Additionally, Williams shows a higher pressure-to-sack rate of nearly 20%, compared to Mahomes’ rate of approximately 12%. In a broader context, the comparison underscores the evolving landscape of quarterback play influenced by Mahomes’ groundbreaking style in the NFL.