DETROIT — Nearly two hours after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called his name, Caleb Williams walked into the press conference media room, brandishing a very huge smile, while donning the hat that bears the logo of his new team.
To no one’s surprise, the Chicago Bears selected the USC quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit. Williams, took home the Heisman Trophy in 2022, will join a promising Bears offense that features DJ Moore, D’Andre Swift, Cole Kmet.
Already knowing he’d have a bevy of throwing targets at his disposal, Williams was elated when the Bears selected Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze with eight picks later at No. 9, revamping Chicago’s offense in the first 10 picks.
“It’s pretty sick,” Williams told reporters. I got to play against him (in college). I wasn’t that good. I didn’t enjoy it to be honest with you. But to now be able to be teammates, I’m pretty excited to be able to throw the ball to him. He gets to do what he did to our defense (at USC) to other defenses now, so I’m excited.
Of the 13 prospects invited to this year’s draft, the first several athletes to speak before the media were Williams, New England’s Drake Maye, New York’s (Giants) Malik Nabers and Washington’s Jayden Daniels.
Here are a few highlights from their first remarks as NFL players:
Drake Maye on the trust New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo has in him: “It means a lot. Coming from Coach Mayo who played in the league a long time. (He’s) won Super Bowls. I’m just tryna go in there and prove to them that they made the right pick.”
Malik Nabers on his connection with former LSU and New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.: “I’m just happy for my name to be right beside that great person, great athlete. So, you know,watching him when I was young, seeing him catch those one-handers, catch those one-handers, catch those touchdowns, I’m just happy my name is right alongside his.”
Jayden Daniels on stepping into the role of captain on the Washington Commanders as a rookie: “I’m just coming in to compete. You know I gotta my role. I gotta earn everything. Nothing is given to me, no matter how high I was drafted or anything like that. I gotta come in and compete and show up to work everyday.
Caleb Williams on what he’s learned about himself at USC: “I’ve grown I will say in my two years at USC tremendously as a leader I would say is the biggest one. Being able to adapt and be the same guy every single day. No matter whether I got injured, no matter whether it was a 7-5 season, being able to walk into the facility and be the same guy, be the same leader, same human when I’m in there but also when I’m leaving is something I’ve learned.”
Marvin Harrison Jr on entering the NFL and his father’s involvement: “I’ve been training for this my whole life. This is something I’ve wanted to do. My dad has been with me every step of the way preparing me for this moment (and) preparing me for the NFL level. I’ve had tremendous help.”
Caleb Williams on the talent pool in the 2024 NFL draft class: “It’s a special draft class. It’s a lot of explosive players that went. A lot of powerful players. One of my good friends, dearest friends Olumuyiwa Fashanu I believe went to the Jets. (Bears) got Rome Odunze. I’m excited…it’s an awesome draft class that’s got great guys in it.”