It's bowl season, which is one of the biggest times of year for multiple teams across the country, but it's also a time in which several big-name players opt out, forgoing the experience altogether.
Among those doing that that this year is USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, despite the Trojans' lackluster 7-5 overall record this season.
One of the biggest storylines of the season was the high emotion from Williams in a frustrating year as the team did not provide a supporting cast that was as consistent and with as high of a ceiling as Williams presents. USC also struggled greatly to play complementary football with a defense that ranked 120th in the nation at season's end, surrendering an average of 438.8 yards per game to opponents.
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Here's a look into why Williams is sitting out, what that decision means and how he's performed.
Why Caleb Williams isn't playing for USC in Holiday Bowl
Williams won't be taking the field for the Trojans in the Holiday Bowl against Louisville because of his decision to opt out, likely to prepare for the upcoming draft.
He opened the season as not only the projected first quarterback to come off the board, but the first player, regardless of position. Williams has projected as a rare and perhaps even generational talent for the majority of his career, finishing out 2023 with 3,633 passing yards and 30 touchdowns.
Williams was key to the Trojans' 11-1 season in 2022, throwing for 4,537 passing yards and 42 touchdowns en route to securing the Heisman Trophy.
To see Williams drafted anywhere outside of the early first round would be surprising. It is, though, still technically a possibility that Williams could not declare as it's been called a "game-time decision." Looking at the projections and circumstances, though, it seems unrealistic for Williams not to declare.
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Who is the Trojans' starting quarterback for the Holiday Bowl?
With Williams electing not to play in the Holiday Bowl, backup quarterback Miller Moss is the next man up for the Trojans. He'll look to help the team finish off an otherwise lackluster season on a high note.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley has had plenty of praise for what Moss brings to the table as a signal-caller, noting the strides he has made.
“I think he’s really improved as a player,” Riley said of Moss ahead of the bowl game. “I would have liked to have been able to play him a little bit more here in the last couple of years, but the opportunities that he has had, he’s played well and he’s moved us well.”
Moss sat above freshman Malachi Nelson on the quarterback depth chart this season, making the most of the chances he did have to see the field. He appeared in games against San Jose State, Stanford and Nevada -- all off which were blowouts -- going 23-of-32 passing for 309 yards, one passing touchdown and two rushing TDs.
