2024 definitely wasn’t the debut season Caleb Williams hoped for after being chosen first general by the Bears. The staff obtained off to a 4-2 begin, however he by no means regarded fully snug, and a protracted shedding streak led to a number of teaching modifications earlier than the season ended.
Regardless of the roller-coaster on-field efficiency, Williams has at all times been a polarizing determine off the sector. Not due to antics or outrageous statements, however as a result of he attire and carries himself in a different way than a soccer participant “ought to.” He’ll be capable of put one feather in his cap as he was named “Most Fashionable Soccer Participant” by a preferred journal.
Caleb Williams Tops GQ Sports activities’ Checklist
Williams was the highest-rated quarterback in his highschool recruiting class and enrolled at Oklahoma in 2021. He selected OU due to head coach Lincoln Riley and took over the beginning position midway by his true-freshman season. The Sooners went 11-2 and missed out on the School Soccer Playoff that season.
Riley left for USC and Williams adopted him to Los Angeles. His first yr as a Trojan was glorious as Williams put up over 4,500 yards and led FBS with 42 touchdowns. A Pac-12 Championship Sport loss stored the Trojans out of the CFP, however Williams introduced dwelling the Heisman Trophy.
The hype round Williams because the No. 1 decide began to construct in 2022 and his life was put below the microscope. He’s at all times been unapologetically himself, which confirmed in a troublesome closing season at USC.
The Trojans obtained out to a 6-0 begin however playoff hopes have been dashed after back-to-back mid-season losses. One other loss to Washington introduced media scrutiny as Williams found his mother and cried along with her after the sport. He got here below extra fireplace throughout the draft course of the place it got here out that he preferred to color his nails.
What Williams does off the sector doesn’t affect him between the white strains, and the Bears acknowledged that sufficient to draft him first general. Chicago went 5-12 in his rookie season with Williams throwing for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns. He’ll have to enhance rapidly on the sector (ranked No. 33 in PFN’s QB+ rankings), however Williams’ trend sense and talent to be himself landed him a serious off-field recognition.
#Bears QB Caleb Williams was voted as GQ Sports activities’ most fashionable soccer participant, in response to their Instagram web page. pic.twitter.com/ddP2qPqp01
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) February 3, 2025
He received a match run by GQ Sports activities of soccer’s most fashionable gamers, knocking off Justin Jefferson within the closing. In a current article from the journal, Williams spoke a few mantra he lives by, “Just be who you are and stay true to that.” It’s a easy message that applies to everybody.
He’ll be comfortable to win this recognition once more subsequent season, however it’s going to really feel even higher if he can preserve being unapologetically himself and produce successful soccer again to Chicago.