QB expert explains why USC's Caleb Williams is more ready for NFL than Patrick Mahomes was out of college

QB expert Jordan Palmer explains why he thinks USC star Caleb Williams is more NFL ready than Patrick Mahomes was coming out of Texas Tech.

The first time former NFL quarterback Jordan Palmer saw Caleb Williams was when the five-star recruit was a junior in high school. 

The Elite 11, a premier quarterback showcase for the top high school recruits in the country, had Williams going against his peers, and Palmer saw a clear gap in level of play. 

"I said it then, and I’ve never said it about anyone else: That’s the best kid I’ve ever seen," Palmer told Fox News Digital. "I know when I say those things out loud it can carry some weight, so I don’t throw that around a lot. I’m not the over-hyper."

Years later, Williams has starred at Oklahoma and USC, winning the Heisman with the Trojans as a true sophomore with 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns passing in 14 games. 

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Caleb Williams of the USC Trojans passes during the first quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Oct. 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Palmer, who has studied and worked with numerous NFL quarterbacks, including Joe Burrow, Josh Allen and others, believes Williams tops them all as a prospect if he were to enter the NFL Draft after this season.

"I’ll say right now entering the draft, whenever that is for him, he’ll be the best guy I’ve seen entering the draft," Palmer said. "Ready to play, can do all the things mental, physical and emotional.

"It feels to me like he’s a top-tier NFL quarterback, like upper half, who is getting to play against college kids this year."

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