After the Alamo Bowl, Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams decided to enter the transfer portal. Most have been speculating that Williams would follow his head coach Lincoln Riley to USC. A decision we thought was so simple has become more complicated than anyone could have imagined. LSU has become a potential suitor for his services as well but that isn’t the biggest surprise. The University of Wisconsin appears to be a serious player in getting Caleb Williams. While to some, it’s a pipe dream; Williams deciding to come to Wisconsin makes more sense than people realize.
The Russell Wilson Effect
Wisconsin has been trying to find a successor to Russell Wilson. A quarterback wants a great rushing attack to take pressure off the passing game, top defense, and an offensive line that will keep you upright and healthy. Running the ball and dominating offensive line play have been hallmarks of the Badgers football program for decades.
Speaking of Russell Wilson, Williams has reportedly been intrigued by what Paul Chryst did for Russ. He is a perfect example of what Williams could become if he transfers to Wisconsin. In 2011, Russell Wilson completed over 72% of his passes, 3,175 yards, 33 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions. Russ also added 338 yards on the ground and rushing touchdowns. Wilson was a mobile quarterback who thrived on throwing outside the pocket and on the run. He also had a dominant defense that gave up 17 or fewer points in 10 of 14 games that season. He also had two future NFL running back’s behind him in Melvin Gordon and James White.
The Badgers have the pieces in place for Williams to have success as Wilson did. Like Russ, Williams is a quarterback who is successful at making plays out of the pocket and on the run. Unlike Lincoln Riley, he won’t have to worry about having to put up so many points. While we all want that to happen; the pressure won’t on Williams to do it every week. Williams can almost certainly count on a close lead being protected. Williams will also have Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi behind him to hand the ball too. Caleb Williams would be walking into a situation that every quarterback wants. Rarely do you get everything, and that is what he’d have at Wisconsin.
Someone He Knows As The Offensive Coordinator
It’s no secret that the offense has grown stale and is in need of more creativity. Chryst is bringing in Baltimore Ravens tight ends coach Bobby Engram to revitalize the offense. Having spent the past nine seasons in Baltimore; Engram can easily build a Ravens-like offense around Williams. This could include some designed QB runs and using multiple players in the backfield. Williams would be walking into a situation where the offense will be more open than ever. It should also be noted that Engram’s son Dean is a cornerback on the Badgers. Williams and Engram are great friends and went to the same high school together. Both families are close making this environment family-friendly for him. This will also help the transition to a new school go smoother.
No Trusting Lincoln Riley
At Oklahoma with Lincoln Riley, he didn’t have to dominate offensive line play as he was sacked 20 times. Riley has also shown to not care about defense. It’s almost as if he views it just as an impediment to getting his offense back on the field. This put pressure on Williams to put up points. If he were to transfer to USC, I don’t see that model changing.
Williams shouldn’t forget that the coach he specifically committed to left abruptly for the USC job. Riley also seemed to have been negotiating with LSU and USC and not focusing on his then Oklahoma team. This is probably the reason that Williams hasn’t just transferred to USC already. Oklahoma is a job you don’t leave for another one. Every coach at Oklahoma has either resigned or been fired. With Riley pulling those stunts, I don’t see how Caleb Williams can trust him again.
This Is His Best Opportunity
Wisconsin will not be the best development opportunity for Caleb Williams, but he has a chance to win a conference title. The Big Ten Championship winner almost automatically makes the playoff, can’t say the same about the Pac-12 (talking to you USC). It also helps that he has ties to Wisconsin in Dean and Bobby Engram. He’ll have everything he needs to succeed at Wisconsin and go to the NFL.
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