Sophia Michaels
Caleb Williams is making waves both on and off the field with an impressive sports career that includes being the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. His accolades are numerous, including winning the Heisman Trophy in 2022, being named to the Washington Post All-Metropolitan 1st Team two years in a row, and earning Gatorade Football Player of the Year status in 2021. USC has even honored him by retiring his legendary No. 13 jersey. However, he seems equally impressive in academics, boasting a commendable GPA.
Williams attended Gonzaga College High School, well-known for its strong sports programs combined with challenging academic expectations. The Williams family specifically picked this school for that blend. Former coach Mark McCain noted Williams’s exceptional competitive spirit, likening him to legendary athletes. “He simply does not compute losing. He doesn’t accept failure at all,” said McCain.
Williams did not let his impending NFL career get in the way of his schoolwork; he maintained a solid 3.0 GPA, proving his commitment to both athletics and academics.
Caleb Williams reportedly had a 3.0 GPA
While he is widely recognized for his time at USC, Caleb Williams began his college career at the University of Oklahoma. After a coaching change during his freshman year, he transferred to USC to continue playing under Lincoln Riley, turning down opportunities from other universities like UCLA and Georgia.
At USC, he focused on communications, studying areas related to PR, digital media, and journalism. His USC Trojans profile page indicates he managed to keep a 3.0 GPA, which, although slightly below Tom Brady’s college average, is commendable given his status as a prominent athlete. Beyond academics, Williams has also shown a strong commitment to mental health awareness, launching initiatives through his Caleb Cares Foundation to support fellow students.
Reflecting on his experiences at Oklahoma and USC, he stated, “I wanted to be able to help because I know that I have a platform and a lot of people follow me on social media. I want to put out the right things, and this is part of it,” emphasizing his desire to use his influence positively.
Caleb Williams was known to be a responsible student
Even as a star athlete on the verge of professional stardom, Caleb Williams maintained a strong focus on his education. Despite the opportunity to enroll early at Oklahoma during his senior year, he remained dedicated and did not neglect his final classes. Terry Kernan, Gonzaga’s athletics director, praised Williams for his commitment to his studies, noting he consistently attended his virtual classes from Oklahoma. “He would Zoom into my class every day from Norman,” remarked Kernan, highlighting Williams’s determination to keep up with his education.
With his sights now set on making history in the NFL, Williams has ambitious goals, aiming for “Eight Super Bowls,” a target he set after achieving his initial goal of being the No. 1 draft pick. “Tom Brady has seven, so you got to set the bar high,” he stated, suggesting that for him, anything less than breaking records is simply not enough.
