In a series of unexpected events, USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the presumed Heisman winner heading into conference championship weekend.
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How did this happen? Well, CJ Stroud, the favorite for most of the season, laid an egg against Michigan. Bryce Young battled some injuries while Alabama had a "down" year. Meanwhile, Williams has shined on the West Coast in Lincoln Riley's first-year leading the Trojans.
The Oklahoma transfer has thrown for 3,712 yards and tossed 34 touchdowns—ranking in the top 10 in the country in each category—en route to USC's 11-1 record. The Trojans still have to take care of Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game, but barring any major shakeup, USC should find themselves in the College Football Playoff and Williams should be the newest member of the Heisman fraternity when it's all said and done.
Of course, Williams' performance on the field deserves recognition. But the star QB went viral this past weekend for a different reason as USC took on Notre Dame.
Caleb Williams Paints His Finger Nails for Extra Motivation
You need to look at what Caleb Williams had painted on his fingernails for Notre Dame tonight (photo by AP’s Mark Terrill) pic.twitter.com/Ixyz1DTPBm
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) November 27, 2022
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Williams took no time to share how he felt about his new school's historic rival. He played the entire matchup against Notre Dame with "F**K ND" painted on his fingernails. The choice words helped him play one his best games of the season.
The Trojan signal caller completed 18 of 22 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown while punching in three scores on the ground in USC's 38-27 win over the Irish. He also displayed some moves emulating Patrick Mahomes.
USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the best prospect I've seen since I started doing scouting.
This is absolute madness. There's just a handful of NFL quarterbacks able to do this. pic.twitter.com/41GpCu2n7C
— Luca Sartirana (@SartiranaLuca) November 27, 2022
If you're wondering who HIM is after a play like this, look no further than Williams' thumb.
Caleb Williams thumb tonight = HIM https://t.co/Y4JB70pWdG pic.twitter.com/cnN4a3Xa4c
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 27, 2022
Apparently painting fingernails is nothing new for Williams. He painted his nails for the Texas game when he was at Oklahoma last year and has carried the tradition to Los Angeles. He also painted his nails with "988", the number for the Suicide and Crisis Hotline, in USC's matchup vs. Washington State earlier this year.
He does this every game pic.twitter.com/RtQ1eDSAa4
— Colin Pernett (@Colin_Pernett) November 27, 2022
For last weekend's game, @uscfb QB @CALEBcsw painted his nails with 988, the number for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
(via @calebcares13) pic.twitter.com/QFR04DUIxt
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 11, 2022
USC QB Caleb Williams with some fancy nails on his throwing hand on Saturday.
Looks like "🚫ASU" on his middle finger, maybe? pic.twitter.com/4AQ5YhJShb
— Brad Denny (@BDenny29) October 4, 2022
Oh my god Caleb Williams has horns down painted on his finger nails!! ☠️ ☠️
(Credit to @kellykeogh19 for spotting) pic.twitter.com/GlmyTFJm27
— Mike Ianniello (@Ianniello21) October 23, 2021
The Texas message led to him leading a comeback for the ages in last year's Red River Showdown. He then went on to take over Oklahoma's starting job for the remainder of the season. The Notre Dame message led to him cementing himself as the Heisman frontrunner.
His next message, which we can only hope is "F**k Utah", could lead to a Pac-12 championship.
