FOOTBALL

USC Morning Buzz: What’s Latest On Caleb Williams’ Jersey Number?

Since jersey numbers was a big topic over the weekend, let me just update everyone that quarterback Caleb Williams has still not made a deal with wide receiver Michael Jackson to wear the No. 13.

Lincoln Riley told Williams it was his responsibility to get Jackson to relinquish the number. The season-opener is Sept. 3 so Williams has about 10 weeks to reach an agreement.

Considering Williams is making millions this season, he’s got the resources to compensate Jackson, who should hold out for the best deal.

Maybe Williams should wear No. 12. It’s only retired, which means it is completely available. So he’ll need the blessing of Charles White, of course.

No. 14 is out because freshman tailback Raleek Brown is wearing it. Nos. 15, 16 and 17 are available.

Also available is No. 23. That would be great to watch Williams play QB with that number. Of course, we all know he’ll be in 13 vs. Rice.

  • USC apparently got four commitments over weekend, based on Riley’s twitter account.
  • Saturday was former Lakers great George Mikan’s birthday and I like running this photo showing how popular he was that the marquee read “GEO MIKAN vs KNICKS” at Madison Square Garden in 1947. Mikan won five NBA titles with the Lakers. 

Here he is honored by leading sports cartoonist Tom Paprocki in Dec. 1948, who drew more than 6,000 cartoons for the Associated Press from 1932-67.

39 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: What’s Latest On Caleb Williams’ Jersey Number?”

    1. You don’t hear about petty bull shit with championship type of teams like Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU. Pick a Fucking # and go play football 🏈..🙄. Typical West Coast soft, non- Physical programs go through this type of Drama ..

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      1. That’s BS. The number you wear DOES matter to you when you’re a player. That’s especially true in football where you’re completely covered and only identifiable by your number. You’re just exposing the fact that you’ve never worn ANY number before.

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  2. I was gonna vacation in Maui! (The home of your fearless leader) but now I’m going to Indianapolis to the NCAA. I know they will put a stop to this bullshit. I’m thinking a nice post season ban for illegal recruiting practices will do the trick again 😁

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      2. The bigger problem with “Papa Sam” Gilbert is that he was involved with the mob. Just unbelievable that Wooden partnered with a gangster.

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    2. I would have taken you to Mama’s for Celebration Punch, Tristan Lobster, mashed potatoes & cocoanut cake…
      #..JustLeaveThe”IllegalPractices”ThingAlone…

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  4. IF I HAD A DAUGHTER SIR I’D DRESS HER IN CARDINAL N GOLD. AND TAKE HER ON THE CAMPUS SIR TO CHEER THE BRAVE AND BOLD. BUT IF I HAD A SON SIR I’D TELL YOU WHAT HE’D DO. HE WOULD YELL TO HELL WITH YOOKL LIKE HIS DADDY USED TO DO !!!!!!

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  5. With such big changes in the culture in USC football, perhaps now is the time to put names on jerseys, especially with all the new players.

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    1. negative, steveg49. Negative.

      Cardinal&Gold. Same helmet as always. Black shoes. White socks.
      Captain leads the team out of THE (most iconic) Tunnel.
      National Championships and Heismans.
      That’s our Heritage.

      If you wanna look like a pimp, play for the Ducks.

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  6. I think it’s great Addison is going to wear #3 and they are saying that Carson Palmer is ok with it. I think of it as a great way to honor our program’s heritage. I remember Jim Plunket saying that the reason Al Davis didn’t retire numbers is because he said then he would run out of numbers.

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    1. Why not call them Honored, or Hall of Fame, or something that does not reflect they are unusable anymore. It takes care today’s prima donnas and any controversy. It’s just a number, it takes nothing away from what a previous player did in his career. With two all Americans with the same number the number is even more enhanced.

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      1. Interesting point, since we all know no one gets 55 unless they’ve earned it. Only number that compares at USC is 32.

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  7. The hook shot made famous by George Mikan and Kareem now seems to be in the dustbin of history. Those guys were unstoppable with that shot. The 3 pointer has really changed the game.

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    1. Yeah, posts now grow up playing and practicing with a face up game. They are much better at jump shots or driving than they are with back to the basket.

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      1. Jordan and Kobe developed a mid-range game later in their careers, and both were really successful. The outcome of the Warriors-celts may have been different had Tatum learned how to play with his back to the basket. He seemed absolutely befuddled when his 3 and his drive to the hoop failed him.

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      2. Against the Keltics, Klay made several key shots down the stretch from the post position. Back to the hoop, turn and fade away. Lethal.

        Once Tatum perfects that move, watch out.

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    2. Best thing to ever happen to Alcindor/Jabbar was the restriction against dunking. Made his game even better. We were all so lucky to watch him at his greatest.

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  9. Coached youth basketball a few years ago. The tall kids immediately stand at the 3 point line. Nobody wants to learn how to play with their back to the basket. Frankly, I prefer Kareem’s era to the present one. Those big man match-ups were entertaining.

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      1. 67 –we are now reaching the age where we can see sports evolving [not always for the better, btw]— much less circling left in boxing, very little going to the net in tennis and goodbye to fullbacks. I often wonder how the Ali’s and Laver’s would fare in their respective sports today.

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      2. MG,
        Don’t forget manufacturing runs in baseball (bunt, steal). Everything is now analytics. A bunch of non athletes have computered up (that’s a word, right?) sports. They’ve decided that mathematical probabilities are the way to go and they have convinced the higher ups.

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  10. Well P76 has just informed me that Cal 3* 330 pound of 17 yr old blubber has decommitted and pledges his massively ‘toned’ body to SC.

    I’m going to go pout.

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    1. We had a little “tet-a-tet” over this recruit, CalSeventyFive.
      I forgive you.
      You’re still a good bro.

      Per usual, I’m cheering for an 11-1 season for Cal and a drubbing of Stanford. 10-1-1 if you have UCLA on the schedule.

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  12. Who had the number first? I’m not talking about at USC, who wore it playing pop warner, high school or any organised football.
    If that doesn’t work for them, rock-paper-scissors.
    Maybe a test of USC knowledge of better yet arm wrestling Scott Wolf for his manuscript of “USC Babylon” a book coming out Friday .
    Maybe one can wear 169 under the square root symbol.

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  13. Pingback: USC Morning Buzz: Has A Jersey Dilemma Been Resolved? – InsideUSC with Scott Wolf

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