Thirteen years ago, the dynastic football program for the University of Southern California was levied with an unprecedented sanction that banned them from competing in post-season play for two years. The USC Trojans were also forced to vacate the last games of 2004, along with their 55-19 blowout win over Oklahoma in the 2005 Orange Bowl. Additionally, the team dissociated with their former star running back Reggie Bush (after he received a 10-year ban from the NCAA), who voluntarily forfeited the Heisman trophy in 2010, during his NFL  tenure with the New Orleans Saints.

Needless to say, times have changed. Gone are the glory days at USC, featuring collegiate icons like Pete Carroll, Matt Lienart, and Reggie Bush. More importantly, the days of the best NCAA athletes not being legally paid to play are also in the rearview mirror. Over a decade ago, the USC Trojans received one of the worst punishments since the NCAA imposed the "death penalty" on SMU in 1987. Now, USC is once again a National Championship contender behind a famous coach, Lincoln Riley, and star quarterback, Caleb Williams. Unlike Reggie Bush, Williams is cashing in big time with the NCAA's new NIL guidelines. Today, his NIL value is estimated at around $2.6 million.

At 6'1" and 215 pounds, Caleb Williams is widely considered the best prospect at the quarterback position since Peyton Manning was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998. Although he is projected to go #1 in next year's NFL Draft, Williams is a Junior in college. This means he does not have to make himself eligible for a struggling franchise like the Chicago Bears or Arizona Cardinals to acquire him. So, with all of the leverage at his disposal and a NIL deal that already pays him more than he would make in a rookie deal in the NFL, Williams is reportedly playing hard to get with a unique negotiation tactic. The Heisman hopeful allegedly wants part ownership of whatever team that selects him for the upcoming 2024 NFL draft--if he decides to forgo his final year of college at USC.

For more on this story, stay tuned.

Source: Barstool Sports