University of Southern California

Caleb Willams, a sophomore quarterback, won the Trojans’ seventh Heisman Trophy after throwing for 4,075 yards with a national co-leading 37 touchdown passes while rushing for another 10 TDs.

Heisman Winner

Caleb Williams

QB | Sophomore | University of Southern California

Caleb Williams became the University of Southern California’s seventh Heisman winner when he was announced as the recipient of the 88th Heisman Memorial Trophy following a sophomore season in which he also won the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards and the 2022 AP Player of the Year honor.

The 6-foot-1 Williams, who transferred to USC as a sophomore, threw for 4,075 yards on 296-of-448 passing (66.1%) with a national co-leading 37 touchdown passes against just four interceptions. His passing yards was fourth-most nationally, his quarterback rating (167.94) was fifth-best and his passing yards per game (313.5) were sixth-best. 

Williams joined USC’s previous Heisman winners Matt Leinart (2004), Carson Palmer (2002), Marcus Allen (1981), Charles White (1979), O.J., Simpson (1968) and Mike Garrett (1965).

Williams, from Washington D.C., was ranked as the nation’s No. 1 player by SI All-American as a 2020 senior quarterback at Gonzaga College High in Washington, D.C., though they did not play a fall 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Williams enrolled at Oklahoma in the spring of 2021 after graduating a semester early from high school and became the Sooners’ starting quarterback by mid-season. Overall in 2021 while appearing in 11 games and starting the last seven, he completed 136-of-211 passes (64.5%) for 1,912 yards and 21 TDs with 4 interceptions, running for 442 yards on 79 carries with 6 TDs.  His 1,670 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns were the most ever by an OU true freshman.

He transferred to USC as a sophomore, following Head Coach Lincoln Riley who took over the Trojans in 2022 after his time in Norman, Okla. Williams won the Trojans’ quarterback job and led USC to an 11-2 season after the Trojans went 4-8 in 2021.

He finished the regular season third nationally in total offense with 4,447 yards with a total that broke USC’s school record (4,225, 2017). He also rushed for 372 yards (the most at USC in at least 70 years) on 109 carries with a team-best 10 TDs. Williams’ 47 total touchdowns led the country, as did his 282 points responsible for while his total touchdowns were a school record. He threw for over 300 yards seven times, including twice over 400 yards.

Williams’ passing yards (4,075) are the eighth-most among Heisman winners, his 47 total touchdowns (49) are ninth most, his total offense (4,447) and quarterback rating (167.94) are 11th-most in Heisman history. 

He completed his season in record-setting fashion at the Cotton Bowl Classic, throwing for 462 yards and five TDs — both bowl game records — in a tough 46-45 loss to Tulane.

More Articles About Caleb Williams

Heisman Voting Results

Number of electors: 929 - Announced: December 10, 2022.

 PlayerClassPositionSchool1st2nd3rdTotal Points
1Caleb WilliamsSo.QBUSC544168632,031
2Max DugganSr.QBTCU1883571421,420
3C.J. StroudJr.QBOhio State37119142539
4Stetson BennettSr.QBGeorgia3665111349
5Hendon HookerSr.QBTennessee174781226
6Bryce YoungJr.QBAlabama172834141
7Blake CorumJr.RBMichigan82551125
8Michael Penix Jr.Sr.QBWashington92047114
9Bijan RobinsonJr.RBTexas4123975
10Drake MayeFr.QBNorth Carolina362142

Three points are awarded for first place on a ballot, with two points for second place and one point for third place. Finalists in bold.

Heisman Voting By Region

Heisman voters are spread out across six regions, with roughly 145 per region.

Far West

 PlayerPoints
1Caleb Williams359
2Max Duggan217
3C.J. Stroud82
4Stetson Bennett65

Southwest

 PlayerPoints
1Caleb Williams349
2Max Duggan308
3C.J. Stroud87
4Stetson Bennett53

Midwest

 PlayerPoints
1Caleb Williams331
2Max Duggan213
3C.J. Stroud119
4Stetson Bennett21

South

 PlayerPoints
1Caleb Williams315
2Max Duggan228
3Stetson Bennett95
4C.J. Stroud69

Northeast

 PlayerPoints
1Caleb Williams333
2Max Duggan246
3C.J. Stroud86
4Stetson Bennett65

Mid-Atlantic

 PlayerPoints
1Caleb Williams344
2Max Duggan208
3C.J. Stroud96
4Stetson Bennett50

Notes on the Vote

Williams was named on 88.57% of Heisman ballots, Duggan on 78.51%, Stroud on 39.54% and Bennett on 24.23%.

Williams received 77.37% of all possible points, which is the 12th-highest in the history of the Heisman.

TCU’s Max Duggan was the runner up, the Horned Frogs’ highest finisher since Jim Swink also finished second in 1955.

In all, 46 players received Heisman votes.

Statistics

DateOpponentResultCompAttPctYardsYPATDINTRushesYardsTDPlaysTotal OffYPPTotal TD
09/03/22RiceW 66-14192286.424911.32066802831711.32
09/10/22at StanfordW 41-28202774.134112.640940363459.64
09/17/22Fresno StateW 45-17253767.62847.7201212492855.84
09/24/22at Oregon StateW 17-14163644.41805.0109270452074.61
10/01/22Arizona StateW 42-25273773.03489.4318441453928.74
10/08/22Wash. StateW 30-14152951.71886.5209340382225.82
10/15/22at UtahL 43-42254259.53819.1508570504388.85
10/29/22at ArizonaW 45-37314568.94119.1504140494258.75
11/05/22CaliforniaW 41-35264163.43608.8407381483988.35
11/11/22ColoradoW 55-17142653.826810.3318-42342647.85
11/19/22at UCLAW 48-45324374.447010.9218331515039.93
11/26/22Notre DameW 38-27182281.823210.5109353312678.64
12/02/22+ UtahL 47-24284168.33638.53112210533847.33
Heisman Stats11-229644866.14,0758.9374109372105574,4478.047
01/02/23++ TulaneL 46-45375271.24628.9514100564728.45
Totals11-333350066.64,5379.1425113382106134,9198.052

+ Pac-12 Championship in Las Vegas, Nev.
++ Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas

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