The Chicago Bears selected Caleb Williams – a 2021 graduate of Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. who also attended St. Pius X Regional School in Bowie, Maryland – as the overall first pick of the 2024 NFL draft on April 25.
“It feels great … I’m excited. I’m ready. Let’s get this thing going,” 22-year-old Williams said in an interview after the selection. “I can’t wait to hear the fans roaring on Sundays and Mondays and Thursdays.”
As a star quarterback at the University of Southern California, Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 2023, becoming the first Washington-area native to be so honored. That year, he also won the ESPY Award for Best Male College Athlete, and in 2022 he was named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year.
At USC, Williams holds the single-season record for total offense with 4,919 yards, most touchdowns scored rushing and passing with 52, most passing completions with 333 out of 500 attempts, most passing yards gained with 4,537 yards, most touchdown passes thrown at 42, most rushing and passing plays with 61, and lowest rate of interceptions at 1 percent.
Prior to his college career, Williams was a standout at Gonzaga, leading the Eagles in 2018 to win the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference football title. He was also named to The Washington Post All-Metropolitan 1st team two consecutive years in a row – 2018 and 2019.
In accepting the Heisman Trophy, Williams offered a “thank you to my brotherhood at Gonzaga College High School … while this may be an individual award, I certainly understand that nothing, and absolutely nothing, in this sport or life is done alone.”
At the same time, Jesuit Father Joseph Lingan, the president of Gonzaga College High School praised “Caleb’s leadership both on and off the field, his charitable nature, and his gracious and humble character.”
According to media reports, Williams will sign a four-year contract with the Bears that is worth about $38.5 million. He also will receive a $24.8 million signing bonus.
