Caleb Williams, a projected top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, took the podium at the NFL Scouting Combine to reveal shocking news to reporters.
Since arriving on the collegiate football scene, Caleb Williams has been talked about as a future superstar at the NFL level.
Williams began his career with the Oklahoma Sooners before transferring to the USC Trojans to finish his final two seasons.
NFL Draft scouts have compared Williams to Patrick Mahomes, thanks to a unique blend of arm talent, creativity, and mobility.
During the quarterback interviews on Friday, Williams made a shocking announcement — an unprecedented one for the NFL Scouting Combine.
Williams opts out of medical checks at the NFL Combine
While at the podium, Williams told reporters he would not participate in the medical evaluations. When asked why, the USC star had a noteworthy answer.
“Not 32 teams can draft me. There’s only one of me,” Williams said.
USC QB Caleb Williams said that he won't undergo any medical evaluations at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Instead, he will only do medical work with teams he visits before the draft.“Not 32 teams can draft me, there’s only one of me.” pic.twitter.com/Sw7XvnOlTN
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 1, 2024
No NFL Draft prospect has ever refused medical checks during the NFL Scouting Combine — even those returning from significant injuries.
The decision is puzzling on the surface, and it caused many pundits, including FS1’s Skip Bayless, to question if Williams’ camp is hiding an injury.
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Skip Bayless roasts Caleb Williams for NFL Combine decision
“Alright, let’s talk about the big-picture concept of not wanting to give you my medical records,” Bayless said.
“This smacks of coming from Dad. Father thinks son is so special — and I think he’s pretty special — that he can change the rules.
“The point is, this game you play is a really violent game. And a whole lot of dollars are invested and often blown at the top of the draft because you have to know exactly what a player is medically.
Report: Caleb Williams chooses not to undergo medical exams at Combine:@RealSkipBayless: “This smacks of coming from dad. They think he’s so special they can change the rules.” pic.twitter.com/ugFGAtNjHX
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) March 1, 2024
“To my knowledge, I don’t think he’s had anything major, but when you say ‘no, you can’t see my medical records,’ the red flags just fly everywhere because people are saying ‘what are you trying to hide here?’
“Is there something we don’t know? Did you hurt yourself in an off-season workout that we don’t know about?
Bayless finished, “That smacks of you’re not sure about yourself. I don’t like it.”
Williams’ decision has drawn the ire of social media, and given that a medical opt-out has never happened before, there’s reason to believe teams won’t like the decision, either.
But, as Williams said on Friday, only one team will draft him. And according to several reports, it will likely be the Chicago Bears at number one overall.