There’s a pattern, and the overall record speaks volumes.
Name the one that panned out. You can’t. The best was Carson Palmer, and he was average at best.
Maybe it’s about the LA media market meshing with a college atmosphere. The University of Southern California is a media darling, providing extra attention that transforms cheers into accolades and draft hype. It is Hollywood, after all.
Despite all the interest, USC has been meh for the past fifteen years, even though their quarterbacks are always highly touted.
In 2006, it was Heisman winner Matt Leinart. The Arizona Cardinals drafted Leinart #10 overall, but he never became a full-time starter.
In 2009, Mark Sanchez was the #5 overall pick of the New York Jets. His career did include back-to-back AFC title games, but it also includes throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. There’s also the infamous “butt fumble.”
In 2018, we had USC’s Sam Darnold. Darnold was the New York Jets’ #3 overall pick, and he is on his fourth team in seven seasons.
Now we have Caleb Williams, who is considered a generational talent. He’s a Heisman winner and the Chicago Bears’ #1 overall pick. Sound familiar?
So, how is it going for the most recent USC great? It was not until his third game of the season against the Indianapolis Colts that Caleb threw his first career touchdown. He is currently on pace for sixty-two sacks taken this season, which would be the sixth most in history. Thus far, he’s had five different outings with no touchdowns. Shane Waldron, the newly hired offensive coordinator, has been relieved of his duties.
There is still much optimism for the young Williams, as there should be. But let’s face it: professional football is hard. It is unforgiving and loyal to no one.
None of what I’ve written is a character critique. It’s just about playing the game and how, at one school at least, QB hype outdistances QB pro performance. So, make it KD’s Football Rule 307: Don’t Trust USC Quarterbacks!
