USC Football: Senior Explains Decision To Forgo Final Season Of College Eligibility For NFL Draft

The USC Trojans will look a lot different in the 2024 season. Their star quarterback and Heisman winner, Caleb Willaims, will eventually forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, along with many of their top offensive players from 2023. 

Their defense, which wasn't very good in 2023, will be without many of their top talents, including safety Max Williams. Williams was among the standouts in the lonely defense, which is why he will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.

Willaims spent five years as a Trojan, and although he is eligible for a sixth season because of injuries and COVID, he decided it was time for a change. Max told LA Times staff writer Thuc Nhi Nguyen that it is time to move on to bigger and better things. 

“I felt like I’ve gave my all to this university for the five years I’ve been here,” he added. “I’ve overcame a lot, I’ve played through a lot. It was always a dream coming to USC, being a Trojan.”

^{(per Max Williams via LA Times)}

In five seasons as a Trojan, Williams played in 33 games and recorded 131 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, three interceptions returned for 71 yards, and three forced fumbles. Williams' best season came in 2022 as a junior and played in all 14 games. 

The Carson native will look for a fresh start after five great years as a Trojan. There was nothing more left to prove, and we wish him the best in his next journey, wherever that may be.