USC's Williams: Declaring for 2024 draft will be 'in-the-moment decision'

USC quarterback Caleb Williams said he'll only decide whether to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft once the 2023 season is over.

"(That's) going to be an in-the-moment decision at the end of the year," Williams recently told ESPN's Pete Thamel. "It's my third year, and the dream and goal was to go three-and-out. Being around these guys and in college and enjoying it, we'll have to see at the end of this year."

Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, enters the 2023 season as the heavy favorite to be selected first overall in the 2024 draft. His ability to improvise and create off-script plays has drawn comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes. Williams recently shrugged off those comparisons and said he's focused on winning with USC.

Williams finished the 2022 campaign - his first with the Trojans - with 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns against five interceptions. The star signal-caller also scored 10 TDs on the ground.

When asked if the NFL team picking first next year could be a factor, Williams said "a lot" that could affect his decision to potentially return for a fourth college season.

"I don't think there'd be one specific thing to affect and detour that type of decision," he added. "It'd have to be a multitude of things to lead me to one side or the other."

Williams began his college career with Oklahoma and transferred to USC in February 2022 to follow head coach Lincoln Riley.

The Arizona Cardinals are the current favorites to have the No. 1 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Cardinals roster quarterback Kyler Murray, but the former first overall pick is rehabbing a torn ACL suffered in December.