Famed Pac-12 writer has 2 USC football players in top 10 of conference

Famous Pac-12 writer Jon Wilner is about as tuned into the Pac-12 as it gets, and is high on some of USC football's star power this season. Caleb Williams and Jordan Addison are both ranked in his top 10 players in the Pac for 2022. Addison was ranked all the way up at No. 2. It's hard to disagree with that ranking for a player coming off of a Biletnikoff campaign in 2021.

"The reigning Biletnikoff Award winner could very well close the season as the best player in the league, and the land," said Wilner. "But we wonder about the adjustment to a new quarterback, new scheme, new head coach, new conference — and all the hype."

Well, if the worst-case scenario would be that he doesn't finish as the best player in the conference, but finishes as the second, SC will take it. Besides, while there's a lot of new surroundings around Addison, he already has a connection with Williams. The two grew up together in the same area, which appeared to be part of why he wanted to play at this blue blood program.

Speaking of USC Football QB Williams, Jon Wilner gave him an awful ranking in his top ten.

Jon Wilner only ranked USC Football's QB, Williams, as just the No. 10 player in the Pac-12. Here's what he had to say to explain:

"While not the Pac-12's best pro prospect at the position — that would be Stanford's Tanner McKee — the Oklahoma transfer is an elite playmaker who should have a major impact," said Wilner. "That said, he has only attempted 211 career passes, and many came against third-rate defenses."

Well, McKee better hope he's a better pro prospect than Williams. He's about to enter a FIFTH year of college. But anyway, Williams has only attempted 211 career passes. That's true, but he's been so much better than Wilner's No. 6 selection (Utah QB Cameron Rising) in those passes that it's not even funny. Here are Williams' stats on the left, and Rising's stats on the right:

--64.5 completion %//////////63.5 completion %

--9.1 yards per pass attempt//////////7.4 yards per pass attempt

--10.2 adjusted yards per pass attempt//////////8.2 adjusted yards per pass attempt

--21 touchdowns//////////20 touchdowns

Keep in mind, Williams didn't even get the chance to start until the second half of the season. Rising started the whole year last year. Williams still had more touchdowns in half of a true freshman season. Williams should AT LEAST be ahead of Rising, the other QB on Wilner's list. Williams' Oklahoma team also finished in the top 10 of the final AP Poll. Rising's Utah team certainly didn't.

And sure, Williams played against many poor defenses last season, but Rising certainly did too. It's an honor for USC to have multiple players on this list, but it is a bit odd to see Williams--who some even say is a top two QB in the country--well-below any QB in the Pac-12.

However, with all the hype that's come SC's way this offseason, it may actually be better for the team to get some more bulletin board material up in the locker room.