The top dual-threat quarterback nationally in the 2021 recruiting class is uncommitted, and he took his third visit to Oklahoma this past weekend.
Oklahoma head coach is very high on Caleb Williams, as is about every other major college program. The 6-foot, 1-inch, 200-pound quarterback prospect from the Washington, D.C., area has had scholarship offers from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia, Florida and Stanford.
He has narrowed his interest down to about five schools — OU, LSU, Penn State, Maryland and Clemson — and according to several national recruiting experts, the competition to land the No. 1 2021 QB recruit is really between Oklahoma and LSU.
Williams has worked out an arrangement with Sports Illustrated under which he has agreed to chronicle his recruiting journey, providing periodic updates as part of a series of articles titled “Caleb Williams: All on the line,” which are published on the SI.com website.
Here are some excerpts of what he had to say about last weekend’s visit to OU:
"“The OU trip was multiple days. I’d already been there two times before, so this was more for clarity…“I talked to coach (Lincoln) Riley for a while…he had a strategic plan and gave it to us in detail over the next few years. I really appreciate coach Riley and his coaching staff for the first-class act that they showed…“My mother enjoyed the visit. She liked how peaceful it was. She thought it was a very mellowed out campus and that the vibe was very cool…“We got an in-depth look at what like will be like for an athlete at Oklahoma…we feel really good about it.”"
Williams’ father, Carl said: “From my perspective, it feels like you go to Oklahoma and get in the lab for three or four years. You get glimpses of what they (the OU coaching staff) are developing on Saturdays, and they prepare you for the NFL…We didn’t get a chance to see a lot of Norman or Oklahoma City, but we will when we return.”
Williams also got the opportunity to meet with former Sooner QB Jalen Hurts on this visit
It’s difficult and dangerous to read to much into a single recruiting visit like this, and Riley and his coaches aren’t allowed to comment on it by NCAA rule, but all indications were that it was a highly productive and meaningful few days for Caleb and the Williams family.
The comment by Caleb’s father…”when we return”…also was very interesting and, hopefully, very telling.
This is going to be an interesting story to follow. Sounds like the Sooners have as good a chance as any of landing this top recruit.
It’s hard to believe that Williams isn’t more than a little curious about what’s in the water at OU, given the history of having two quarterbacks win the Heisman Trophy and three Heisman finalists in the last three years.