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Football

This future NFL quarterback 'closest thing to Patrick Mahomes', says Jason Bell

Philip Marsh
This future NFL quarterback 'closest thing to Patrick Mahomes', says Jason BellGetty Images
The USC Trojans quarterback is the star of college football.

USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams is "the closest thing to Patrick Mahomes," according to former NFL cornerback and pundit Jason Bell.

The 21-year-old Heisman Trophy winner is likely to be among the first players taken at the 2024 NFL Draft with plenty of teams keeping tabs on him.

Through seven games in 2023, Williams has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns with just four interceptions - three of which came in last week's defeat against Notre Dame.

Besides that defeat to Notre Dame last time out, Williams has backed up his Heisman Trophy winning season in 2022 with a strong start to 2023 which has seen the Trojans go 6-1 through seven weeks.

And former Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and New York Giants cornerback, turned NFL pundit, Jason Bell has compared Williams to arguably the best quarterback in the NFL currently - Patrick Mahomes.

"You hear people talk about how he's the closest thing to Patrick Mahomes and I see what they're saying," Bell told DAZN. 

"This kid, he's got it all, he’s aware, he's got the skill set that you need at the position and he’s a competitor.

"When he went into college, he first went to Oklahoma and they had a guy that was supposed to be the starter, but he went and took his position. So that tells you right there that the kid is not scared of competition, and that's what you want as a quarterback.

"Everybody respects him on and off the field, that's really important for a guy you’re bringing in that's going to carry your organisation for the next decade."

As things stand, the Chicago Bears have the first two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft after their blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers earlier this year.

If they decide to move on from Justin Fields as their franchise quarterback they could have the first opporutunity to select Williams.

If not, the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants and New England Patriots could all be in the equation for the number one pick - or any team willing to trade up.