Caleb Williams Agrees to NIL Deal with Beats by Dre After Transferring to USC
Feb 5, 2022
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 29: Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Caleb Williams (13) warms up before the football game between the Oregon Ducks and Oklahoma Sooners at the Alamodome on December 29, 2021 in San Antonio, TX. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Caleb Williams has landed his first NIL deal since transferring from Oklahoma to USC, signing with Beats by Dre, the company announced Friday.
Williams announced his decision to transfer to USC earlier this week after spending just one season with the Sooners. He followed new Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley, who coached him at Oklahoma in 2021, to California.
Williams served as the Sooners starting quarterback in 2021, replacing Spencer Rattler, who was inconsistent. He completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns against four interceptions in 11 games. He also rushed for 442 yards and six scores.
Former Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams Announces Transfer to USC
Feb 1, 2022
Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams (13) passes during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Norman, Okla. Oklahoma won 52-21. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Caleb Williams may have shifted the balance of power in the 2022 College Football Playoff race by announcing his transfer to USC, where he'll reunite with former Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley.
Williams confirmed the decision to ESPN's Pete Thamel on Tuesday.
"I wanted to go somewhere I
thought would provide me with the best development both on and off
the field. ... Getting to know Coach Riley and
gaining familiarity with his offense definitely played a part in my
selection, as well as already knowing some [of] the guys on the team," he said.
After closing out the 2021 regular season with a loss to Oklahoma State, Oklahoma experienced an exodus.
Riley left for USC, taking defensive coordinator Alex Grinch with him. Spencer Rattler, a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite, transferred to South Carolina. Jadon Haselwood and Austin Stogner departed as well.
That's to say nothing of the recruits who decommitted after Riley took the USC job.
While not unexpected, Williams' announcement Jan. 3 that he was entering the transfer portal turned heads:
The freshman quarterback left the door open to returning to the Sooners, explaining how entering the portal was the only way he could speak with other schools and remain within NCAA rules.
Wide receiver Theo Wease withdrew from the portal in December, opting to remain with Oklahoma.
Still, first-year head coach Brent Venables found himself having to recruit Williams back to Norman. Venables and athletic director Joe Castiglione issued a joint statement saying, in part, "We believe OU provides Caleb the best opportunity to develop as a player and realize his goals for college and beyond":
Statement from Joe Castiglione and Brent Venables on today’s announcement by Caleb Williams: pic.twitter.com/qGHlDqIDp2
Speaking with Thamel after Williams' announcement, his father, Carl Williams, laid out his son's priorities:
Carl Williams: “Professional development. We want Caleb to be ready to play when he becomes a pro. You go to college to get prepared for your career. His chosen career path is professional football. We want him to be prepared for when that time comes.”
With the NCAA's relaxing its transfer rules and allowing players to have one freebie, situations like this are more common. But Williams was something of an anomaly.
Joe Burrow and Justin Fields left Ohio State and Georgia, respectively, because they didn't see a path to the starting role. Jalen Hurts exchanged Alabama's shade of crimson for that of Oklahoma because he had been eclipsed by Tua Tagovailoa.
With Rattler gone, Williams was the entrenched starter for the Sooners. His status for 2022 wasn't in doubt, and QBs don't typically bolt a blue blood when they're poised to run the offense.
Similarly, coaches generally don't get a second bite at the apple when they fail to land a top-ranked prep passer, especially one who has proved himself at the FBS level.
Rather than listing the Power Five programs that were likely to pursue Williams, it was probably quicker to name the ones that wouldn't.
The only teams that shouldn't be willing to throw their returning/incoming starters overboard if they have a chance to land Caleb Williams are Alabama and Ohio State, end of list.
Williams was the No. 2 quarterback in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2021 class, and he lived up to the hype at Oklahoma. He threw for 1,916 yards, 21 touchdowns and four interceptions and ran for 442 yards and six scores.
Rattler's rapid fall at Oklahoma is a cautionary tale about the folly of preseason expectations, but Williams is as close to a sure thing as the Trojans could get at quarterback. Reaching the playoff is bound to be the bar for success with the 6'1" signal-caller on the roster.
Venables, meanwhile, is left scrambling to find a solution at quarterback.
Nick Evers is a 4-star recruit and the No. 10 QB in 2022, per 247Sports' composite rankings. Oklahoma might have to use the transfer portal for its own benefit to replace Williams since fans will anticipate the kind of results that have been the norm in Norman.
As soon as he entered the transfer portal, USC was the logical destination for Williams if he left Oklahoma. Few coaches are better suited than Riley to prepare quarterbacks for the next level, so a reunion made sense.
Former USC quarterback Jaxson Dart's transfer to Ole Miss was the proverbial canary in the coal mine as well.
Dart threw for 1,353 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions as a true freshman and seemingly would've thrived under Riley's tutelage. By choosing to leave the program, it stood to reason he questioned whether he had the inside track to start in 2022.
When Riley arrived at USC, many believed it was a home run hire that will return the Trojans to national prominence, albeit in a few years. By adding Williams, they might be a playoff contender right out of the gate.
Caleb Williams to Enter Transfer Portal; Staying at Oklahoma 'Definitely' an Option
Jan 3, 2022
Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams (13) during the first half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game against Oregon, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Spencer Rattler may not be the only quarterback to transfer from Oklahoma before the 2022 season.
Caleb Williams, who took over as the starting signal-caller during the 2021 campaign after Rattler struggled with consistency, announced he will enter the transfer portal:
Williams explained "according to NCAA rules, the only way I can speak with other schools and see who may offer the best preparation and development for my future career is by entering the portal. Staying at OU will definitely be an option as I begin this process."
His father, Carl, spoke with Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports and discussed what the family is looking for with this move:
Carl Williams: “Professional development. We want Caleb to be ready to play when he becomes a pro. You go to college to get prepared for your career. His chosen career path is professional football. We want him to be prepared for when that time comes.”
Williams notably highlighted the "sudden changes this season sent shockwaves through Sooner Nation and were really hard for the whole team" in his statement.
That is putting it mildly.
Oklahoma started the 2021 season with Rattler on the short list of realistic Heisman Trophy candidates, Lincoln Riley as its head coach and national championship aspirations. However, narrow wins over Nebraska, West Virginia, Kansas State, Texas and Kansas suggested the ceiling was limited, and losses to Baylor and Oklahoma State dropped the Sooners from the College Football Playoff discussion.
Rattler lost his starting job and transferred to South Carolina, Riley took the head coach position with USC, and the program hired Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables as the new head coach.
Venables already has a major recruiting battle on his hands before he even coaches a game when it comes to keeping Williams aboard as the starting quarterback.
A former longtime Sooners assistant coach, Venables and athletic director Joe Castiglione released a statement saying they respect Williams' decision but still "believe OU provides Caleb the best opportunity to develop as a player and realize his goals for college and beyond."
Statement from Joe Castiglione and Brent Venables on today’s announcement by Caleb Williams: pic.twitter.com/qGHlDqIDp2
Frankly, whether the Sooners can keep Williams or not will likely go a long way toward determining how their 2022 campaign unfolds.
He threw for 21 touchdowns and four interceptions while adding six touchdowns on the ground and is someone who can hurt opposing defenses with his arm and legs. Williams figured to be the face of the program for the immediate future, especially with Rattler gone, and the Washington D.C. prep star already started living up to the expectations that accompanied him as a 5-star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.
Losing him would be a major blow for a program looking to return to the CFP discussion next season.
Kennedy Brooks Electric as No. 16 Oklahoma Routs No. 14 Oregon in 2021 Alamo Bowl
Dec 30, 2021
Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks (26) runs for a touchdown against Oregon during the first half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
A 24-point second-quarter outburst propelled the No. 14 Oklahoma football team to a 47-32 win over No. 16 Oregon in the Alamo Bowl on Wednesday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Oklahoma outscored Oregon 24-0 in the second quarter thanks to a Gabe Brkic field goal, a pair of Caleb Williams touchdown passes to Drake Stoops and Marvin Mims and Kennedy Brooks' 29-yard touchdown run. Thanks to those efforts, OU took a 30-3 halftime lead.
Brooks was the Alamo Bowl's star with 14 carries for 142 rushing yards and three touchdowns and scored the first points of the game on a 16-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Meanwhile, the efficient Williams completed 21-of-27 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns.
Oregon's offense exploded in the second half with 22 third-quarter points and 29 overall, but Oklahoma's lead never dipped below 15 points. Running back Travis Dye was Oregon's sparkplug with 18 carries for 153 rushing yards and a score.
Both teams were shorthanded. Of note, a pair of edge-rushers in Oregon's Kayvion Thibodeaux and Oklahoma's Nik Bonitto were out after announcing their intentions for the NFL draft.
This game also featured a pair of teams that traveled eerily similar paths this season.
Both programs were College Football Playoff contenders, but each of them suffered conference losses to crush their playoff hopes.
Oregon fell to Stanford and Utah (twice), while OU lost to Baylor and Oklahoma State.
Oregon and Oklahoma ended up posting 10-win seasons, but they each lost their head coaches in a high-profile fashion after the end of the regular season, too.
Passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon led the Ducks on Wednesday after Mario Cristobal left for Miami, and former OU coach Bob Stoops guided the Sooners after Lincoln Riley took off for USC.
Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning will take over permanently in Oregon, and Clemson associate head coach/defensive coordinator Brent Venables will lead OU.
With the win, the Sooners ended their season with an 11-2 mark, while Oregon fell to 10-4.
Kennedy Brooks, Sooner O-Line Lead Oklahoma to Victory
Oregon simply had no answer for anything Oklahoma did on the ground or through the air. The Sooners running game was particularly deadly as Williams, Brooks and running backs Eric Grey and Marcus Major rushed 39 times for 312 yards.
Brooks led that effort, galloping through the Ducks' defense for 10.1 yards per carry. He and the Sooner offensive line combined to be the catalysts for the team's success as Oklahoma did more than enough on offense to withstand the Ducks' second-half scoring outburst.
Amid Brooks' own onslaught, Jason Kersey of The Athletic stated a clear formula for offensive success:
Brooks' excellent vision was abundantly clear on his third and final touchdown run, as he patiently traversed through Oklahoma's blocks before scampering into the end zone:
Overall, it was a sensational performance for the Brooks-led running game, which propelled Oklahoma to its sixth 11-win season in seven years.
Oregon's Shorthanded Team Has No Answer for OU
Credit goes to Oregon for fighting hard until the end, given unideal circumstances. Not only were the Ducks without their head coach (a la Oklahoma), but they were significantly shorthanded going into this game. Per Matt Prehm of 247Sports, the Ducks were without over 30 players.
That group included an elite pass-rusher and disruptor in Thibodeaux, who has declared for the NFL draft and may be chosen No. 1 overall. His absence gave Oklahoma far more time to execute their offense all evening.
Cornerback/returner Mykael Wright was also out, and the team lost linebacker Noah Sewell, safety Daymon David and cornerback Dontae Manning to injury in the third quarter.
Therefore, it wasn't a big surprise to see Oklahoma's offense dominate, although the Ducks' perseverance and fight in the second half were impressive.
The offense sprung to life in the third quarter with three touchdowns, thanks to a Dye 11-yard run and Anthony Brown touchdown passes to Dont'e Thornton and Kris Hutson.
The problem was that Oklahoma's offense still could not be stopped, scoring touchdowns in between Oregon scores. Williams found Gray on a six-yard TD pass, and Brooks scored his third touchdown on an eight-yard run.
Oregon faced tall odds to pull off the upset in San Antonio. Though the Ducks didn't get it done, they battled until the final whistle.
Spencer Rattler to Transfer to South Carolina After 3 Seasons at Oklahoma
Dec 14, 2021
LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 23: Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) throws a pass before a Big 12 football game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Kansas Jayhawks on Oct 23, 2021 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Former University of Oklahoma
quarterback Spencer Rattler announced Monday that he's transferring to South Carolina.
Former Oklahoma tight end Austin Stogner also announced that he's going to the Gamecocks.
Rattler entered the NCAA transfer
portal in late November to explore his options after the Sooners benched him in favor of freshman Caleb Williams.
The 21-year-old entered
the 2021 season with Heisman Trophy-level expectations after an
impressive redshirt freshman campaign in 2020. He was voted first-team All-Big 12 after completing 67.5 percent of his throws for 3,031
yards with 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions across 11 games. He
also tallied six rushing scores.
Aside from a five-touchdown performance
against an overmatched Western Carolina squad early in the season,
Rattler wasn't able to match that level of play as a sophomore. He
was replaced by Williams during a 55-48 win over Texas and
never reclaimed the starting role.
The Phoenix native still completed an impressive 74.9
percent of his attempts in nine appearances, but his
touchdown-to-interception ratio dropped off considerably (11-5).
Mike Giovando, Rattler's longtime
quarterback coach, told Richard Obert of the Arizona Republic
in November that the signal-caller wanted to take his time assessing the situation before
deciding his next step:
Whether or not we declare for the
draft or find another school remains to be seen. We just want to keep getting feedback from where he may fall in
the draft. And his number one goal is to be a first-round pick one
day, so he will do what's best in the end so he can achieve that
goal.
Rattler ultimately decided to play at
least one more college season at South Carolina. It's probably the right
decision since his potential draft position could have varied greatly
depending on how he performed during the predraft process. He wasn't
a first-round lock based on the 2021 season.
He also has an opportunity to impress against SEC defenses, which could make an even bigger impression on NFL scouts.
Oklahoma Football Recruiting: QB Nick Evers Commits with Spencer Rattler Transferring
Dec 13, 2021
After seeing a mass exodus following Lincoln Riley's shocking departure for USC, Oklahoma's recruiting is finally starting to stabilize.
4-star quarterback Nick Evers announced his intention to attend Oklahoma in a tweet Monday.
Evers is the No. 156 overall player and 10th-ranked quarterback in the 2022 class, per 247Sports. Oklahoma and Florida, both schools going through coaching changes, were considered the top contenders to land one of the few remaining top quarterbacks in this class.
Evers threw for 2,367 yards and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions while adding 648 yards and 14 scores on the ground as a senior at Flower Mount (Texas) High School. While his passing accuracy took a dip as a senior, Evers flashed more of a dual-threat ability that could make him capable of competing for a starting job early in his tenure in Norman.
The Sooners already lost Spencer Rattler to the transfer portal, and it's possible Caleb Williams also explores his options. That could leave Oklahoma without both of their quarterbacks who made starts in 2021. The Sooners also lost the commitment of 2023 5-star quarterback Malachi Nelson, who followed Riley to USC.
For now, Oklahoma will go into next season with Williams, Evers, Micah Bowens and Ralph Rucker on their quarterback depth chart. Ensuring Williams sticks around is the next vital step for new Oklahoma coach Brent Venables, who is returning to his former stomping grounds after spending the last decade as an assistant under Dabo Swinney at Clemson.
Oklahoma Senator Proposes Naming 'Desolate' Highway After USC HC Lincoln Riley
Dec 7, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Lincoln Riley speaks to the media during the press conference introducing him as the new football head coach for USC on November 29, 2021, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA.(Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
An Oklahoma politician is looking to rename a three-inch stretch of highway leading westward out of the state after ex-Oklahoma football head coach Lincoln Riley following his sudden departure to USC.
Kassie McClung of the Frontier relayed a press release from the Oklahoma State Senate communications office, which revealed State Sen. Bill Coleman's requested legislation to "honor" Riley:
Coleman is looking to rename a tiny portion of Highway 325, which leads from the Oklahoma panhandle into New Mexico. The final three Oklahoma inches would be dedicated to Riley.
The ex-Sooner leader didn't drive from Oklahoma to California, as USC put him, his family and some ex-Sooner coaches onto a private jet.
Still, this would be a more symbolic gesture after Riley abruptly left for USC.
Oklahoma has now turned to Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables to be their new head coach. Venables is making his return to the Sooners after spending 1999-2011 there in a variety of roles, including assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.
Clemson's Brent Venables Named Oklahoma HC After Lincoln Riley Exit
Dec 6, 2021
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables looks on during warm ups before their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables was hired as the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday, giving the school its successor to Lincoln Riley.
"This is an incredibly special opportunity," Venables said in a statement. "... There's no question we are equipped to compete at the very highest level and attract the best players from across the country. The OU logo has never been stronger."
Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports broke the news that the two sides had finalized a contract.
The Athletic's Bruce Feldman reported a contingent of Sooners officials traveled to Clemson, South Carolina, to hammer out the details of a contract.
Venables has never been a head coach, but he has been considered one of the top assistants in the country for several decades. He served on Oklahoma's coaching staff from 1999-2011, mostly as a defensive coordinator, and helped the team win the national championship in 2000.
The 50-year-old has been Clemson's defensive coordinator since 2012, winning two more titles under Dabo Swinney.
He takes over the Sooners job after Riley surprisingly left for USC following a 10-2 regular season.
Oklahoma had been one of the most consistent programs in the country, winning at least nine games in each of the past seven seasons. The squad won six consecutive Big 12 titles before falling short of the conference title game in 2021.
Riley notably created some of the best offenses in the country during his five years with the program, helping Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray win the Heisman Trophy.
The problem has been the inability to take the next step, losing in the national semifinals in three straight seasons from 2017-19 before missing the College Football Playoff in 2020 and 2021.
Despite many close calls, the last national championship for Oklahoma came in 2000.
Venables will have high expectations to not only keep the Sooners in the national title picture but also help them bring home a trophy.
Report: Kliff Kingsbury Contract Extension a 'Priority' for Cardinals After OU Rumors
Dec 5, 2021
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury during pre-game at an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. The Cardinals won 23-13. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
The 9-2 Arizona Cardinals have the best record in the NFL, and they reportedly have no interest in seeing head coach Kliff Kingsbury elsewhere with just one year remaining on his contract after the 2021 campaign.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported Sunday that "a long-term extension is a significant offseason priority for the Cardinals, and the coach's leverage has clearly never been higher."
Perhaps that leverage comes in part because ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Nov. 28 that Oklahoma "targeted" Kingsbury in its search for a head coach after the departure of Lincoln Riley to USC. Still, La Canfora noted "there was no serious dialogue between" the two sides.
It was certainly a surprising development when the Oklahoma position became available considering Riley helped lead the Sooners to the College Football Playoff three times and had a 55-10 record during his tenure.
However, he created a vacancy at one of the country's elite programs.
Kingsbury has Big 12 connections from his time as a player and head coach for Texas Tech, although he was just 35-40 as the coach from 2013 through 2018. Oklahoma is also set to join the SEC in 2025.
The Cardinals head coach is also in one of the most favorable positions in the NFL since Kyler Murray is the team's franchise quarterback at just 24 years old and seems primed to compete for MVPs and NFC West crowns for seasons to come.
Arizona is also trending in the right direction under Kingsbury considering it was just 5-10-1 in his first season in 2019, 8-8 last year and now 9-2 through its first 11 games this season.
His background as an offensive coach at the collegiate level is well-suited for Murray's game, as the quarterback can hurt opposing defenses with his legs and his arm as a dual-threat playmaker.
Keeping the quarterback and coach together and continuing to build on their progress seems like the fastest way to a Lombardi Trophy for the Cardinals, and they are apparently going to make an effort to do just that during the offseason.
Report: Clemson's Brent Venables the Top Target to Replace Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma
Dec 5, 2021
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables looks on during warm ups before their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Oklahoma has reportedly zeroed its head coaching search on Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
Chris Low of ESPN reported the deal could be finalized as soon as Sunday. Venables has focused on Ole Miss offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby to serve in the same position under him in Norman.
Venables, the 2016 Broyles Award winner as the nation's top assistant coach, has served as defensive coordinator under Dabo Swinney since 2012. He's been one of the most respected assistants in the nation over the last decade, with several schools pursuing him for head coaching vacancies only to be rebuffed.
Oklahoma is a natural landing spot for Venables given he was an assistant for 13 seasons in Norman under Bob Stoops.
The Sooners program is reeling after losing Lincoln Riley to USC late last month. Riley, who went 55-10 in five seasons at Oklahoma, is also taking many of the team's future commits. The Sooners are down to 13 players committed in the 2022 class and down to two commits in 2023. It's possible, if not likely, more players will reopen their recruitment.
Given the 2022 and 2023 classes will be vital parts of the team when Oklahoma makes its move to the SEC in 2025, it's fair to say the ripple of Riley's departure will have a long-lasting impact on the program.
Adding Venables, who has significant experience recruiting at the highest level, could be vital in preserving Oklahoma's standing among the nation's best programs.
