I know very influential people at USC. The President, Board of Regents, etc. On the athletics side I know only boosters, some pretty influential ones. I don't know any coaches.
1. The one story I heard from a couple of sources was that initially Caleb Williams wanted to be part owner of any team that drafted him. However, once they learned that active players are prevented from having an equity interest in a pro team, his advisors said they were going to explore other ways to get outside the rookie contract.
Me: Good for him to explore all his options, but it does give some insight into his monetary aspirations.2. He didn't play in the USC Bowl game yet didn't announce he was turning pro until after the game. Everyone knew he was turning pro, but why wait until after the game? His father's stated reason was that he was leaving open the option in case they didn't think the teams at the top of the draft were a good fit for his son.
Me: I understand trying to control what team you want to go to and he wouldn't be the first QB to do that. But that just seems wrong. Luckily USC won big and the QB looked great. But how does that play out if USC lost and Williams didn't like the teams at the top of the draft? Does he really go back to school? With plans to play not to get hurt and to skip the bowl game the next year?
