Details on Caleb Williams’ visit to the NFL Scouting Combine – including an interesting purchase originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
As part of the pre-draft process, Caleb Williams traveled from Los Angeles to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine in March.
But his itinerary seemed smooth upon arrival. Williams, like many top prospects do, including LSU’s Jayden Daniels, did not play. He also has not completed team medical evaluations — an unprecedented move for an NFL prospect, even if it makes sense.
So what did Williams do?
According to Albert Breer of S.I., Williams rented a soccer field at a local high school to play on during the event’s downtime. Williams wanted to be ready for his pro day, which was scheduled for two and a half weeks later at USC.
Even though it wasn’t a physically demanding period for Williams at the combine, crucial meetings were ahead for him. He met with the Bears for 15 minutes at 10:40 pm that Wednesday. According to Breer, the atmosphere was relaxed. Williams hasn’t lost his trademark trust in the environment.
“You just recognize that he’s easy to talk to,” says Eberflus. “The personality is there. He’s a guy. He will fit in with his teammates.”
They showed Williams a game concept of their new offense. And after talking a little more, they asked him about the concept. He passed easily, according to Breer. The Bears would test him on a concept during every meeting leading up to the draft; it’s a technique Poles said he learned from the Chiefs and Andy Reid, though it’s not an uncommon practice in the NFL.
On Friday, at the Combine, the Poles met with some members of Williams’ leadership. Five members of Williams’ team went to Poles’ suite at the Hyatt Regency, according to Breer. A lawyer and two trainers were part of the group.
And once again, similar to when the Poles watched Williams live, he was impressed.
“You knew that structure was important to him,” Poles told Breer. “There were people in place to help him succeed. As you progress, you understand that there are people who allow him to play ball to be the best player he can be. It’s not like, ‘Hey, I have a team to say I have a team.’ Everyone has a role, and that is to enable them to be the best football player they can be and eliminate as many distractions and stress as possible.
“We often have to help them assemble the structure. This kid already has it going for him.
