Caleb Williams’ Notre Dame Nightmare: A Closer Look at the QB’s Worst Game
Caleb Williams, the consensus top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, had a disastrous outing against Notre Dame in 2023. The game raised concerns among evaluators, prompting some to question his NFL prospects. However, a closer examination of the game and Williams’ overall performance reveals that the Notre Dame nightmare was an anomaly rather than a harbinger of future struggles.
Williams’ Performance: A Statistical Analysis
Despite the poor result, Williams’ statistical performance against Notre Dame was not as catastrophic as it appeared. He threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. His completion percentage was a respectable 68%. While he was sacked six times, only one of those sacks came outside the pocket, indicating that he is not prone to unnecessarily abandoning structure.
Furthermore, Williams’ scrambling ability was on full display. He rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown, demonstrating his agility and elusiveness. These statistics suggest that Williams’ mobility is a valuable asset and not a liability.
Comparison to Other NFL Stars
Williams is not the first highly touted quarterback prospect to have a disastrous game in college. Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson all experienced similar struggles during their collegiate careers. In Mahomes’ worst game, he threw two interceptions and was sacked six times against Iowa State. Allen had a forgettable outing against Wyoming, completing only 57% of his passes and throwing two interceptions. Jackson threw four interceptions and was sacked six times in his final collegiate game against Mississippi State.
However, these games did not deter NFL teams from drafting Mahomes, Allen, and Jackson. They all went on to become Pro Bowl quarterbacks, proving that even the best prospects can have bad games.
Williams’ Strengths and Weaknesses
Williams’ main strength is his dynamic playmaking ability. He is a creative passer with a strong arm and excellent mobility. He can make plays outside the pocket and extend drives with his legs.
However, Williams does have some weaknesses. He can be reckless with his decision-making at times, leading to turnovers. He also needs to improve his accuracy on deep passes.
Conclusion: Notre Dame Nightmare Not a Red Flag
While the Notre Dame game was undoubtedly a setback for Williams, it should not be viewed as a major red flag. His overall performance in 2023 was impressive, and he possesses the talent and leadership qualities to succeed in the NFL. The Chicago Bears made a sound decision in selecting Williams as their franchise quarterback, and he is poised to become one of the best players in the league.
