Could Caleb Williams return to USC in 2024?

Caleb Williams is the crown jewel of the 2024 NFL Draft. Unless, of course, he stays at USC for his senior year.

It's been assumed — even by Williams — that he'd play three seasons in college and declare for the NFL Draft. He's the projected No. 1 pick in nearly every way-too-early 2024 mock draft and has roughly 40 million reasons to forgo his final year of college eligibility.

Bryce Young signed a $37.95 million guaranteed contract with the Panthers after he was selected No. 1 overall in April's 2023 NFL Draft.

"It's my third year, and the dream and goal was to go three-and-out," admitted Williams in an article by Pete Thamel for ESPN, referring to his route from college to the pros (and hopefully not the USC offense).

But those plans might change. "Being around these guys and in college and enjoying it, we'll have to see at the end of this year," Williams said.

While it's still likely Williams will be the first pick of the 2024 draft, it's possible he'd prefer to play at USC in 2024 instead of for whichever franchise ends up selecting No. 1 overall.

Per ESPN's Mike Clay, the LA Rams are expected to have the first pick. Sean McVay retirement rumors have circulated the past two offseasons and without him as head coach, the Rams - with their depleted roster - would be a horrible landing spot.

Other teams projected to have top-five picks in next year's draft include the Cardinals (with two selections; their own and Houston's), Commanders and Raiders.

Williams has name, image and likeness (NIL) deals with Beats by Dre, AT&T, Neutrogena, Playstation, American Airlines and Dr. Pepper, among others, with an On3 valuation of $2.6 million. While a fraction of what he could make in the NFL - and not an indication of the actual value of his deals with those companies - Williams' ability to earn compensation for his work while in college could be another reason for him to stay.

He won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore in 2022 after going 333-of-500 (66.6 percent) for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions and leading the Trojans to an 11-win season for the first time since 2017. 

A member of the recruiting class of 2021, Williams began his college career at Oklahoma, playing 11 games as a true freshman before following head coach Lincoln Riley to Los Angeles.

Williams (+500) is the favorite to win the Heisman again this season, per Oddschecker. If he does, Williams would become only the second player in college football history to win the Heisman in consecutive seasons, joining Ohio State running back Archie Griffin, who won the award in 1974 and 1975.

As great of a way as that would be for Williams to end his college career, he might have another chapter in him.