Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) carries the ball on a 59-yard run against the Utah Utes in the first half of the Pac-12 Championship at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Southern Cal QB Caleb Williams named Player of Year

Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams was named the Associated Press Player of the Year on Thursday.

He received 32 of 46 first-place votes (117 points) to easily beat out TCU quarterback Max Duggan, who earned six first-place votes and finished with 64 points. Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud, Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker and Georgia QB Stetson Bennett rounded out the top five.

Williams, Duggan, Stroud and Bennett are also the Heisman Trophy finalists.

A sophomore, Williams becomes the first USC player since 2005 to win the award. Reggie Bush earned it in 2005, one year after Trojans QB Matt Leinart took home the award.

Williams led USC to an 11-2 record and a trip to the Cotton Bowl to face Tulane.

He completed 66.1 percent of his passes, throwing for 4,075 yards and an FBS-best 37 touchdowns. He rushed for another 372 yards and 10 TDs, setting the school record for total TDs and total yards from scrimmage.

–Field Level Media