Caleb Sequan Williams, born on November 18, 2001, in Washington, D.C., is an American professional football quarterback widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in the NFL. As of January 11, 2026, he is 24 years old (turning 25 later in the year).
Early Life and Background
Raised in Washington, D.C., Williams attended Gonzaga College High School, where he emerged as a standout quarterback. He led his team to a WCAC Championship as a sophomore with a dramatic game-winning Hail Mary pass and earned accolades including Washington Post All-Metropolitan first-team honors and D.C. Gatorade Football Player of the Year. His junior year saw continued success with impressive passing and rushing stats, and he was named Elite 11 finals MVP. His senior season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Williams is biracial, of Black and Native American descent, and a member of the Piscataway-Conoy Tribe of Maryland. He is the only child of Carl Williams (a former college football player at Oklahoma State, now a real estate developer and co-owner of a sports training facility) and Dayna Price (a former college volleyball player and nail technician who has long supported her son’s career, including painting his signature motivational manicures).
College Career
Williams began his college career at the University of Oklahoma in 2021, where he took over as starter mid-season and showed dual-threat ability. In 2022, he transferred to the University of Southern California (USC) under coach Lincoln Riley, where he exploded onto the national scene. That year, he set USC records with 4,537 passing yards and 42 touchdowns, won the Heisman Trophy, and earned numerous other awards including the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award. He continued to shine in 2023 before declaring for the NFL Draft, cementing his status as a generational prospect.
NFL Career
Selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams signed a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $39.4 million. In his debut season, he set multiple Bears rookie passing records despite a challenging 5-12 team record. His second year in 2025 proved transformative: he broke franchise single-season passing records with 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns (to just 7 interceptions), led the Bears to an 11-6 record, their first NFC North title since 2018, and their first playoff victory since 2010—a dramatic 31-27 comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round on January 10, 2026. Known for his improvisational skills, mobility, and poise in high-pressure situations, Williams has quickly become the face of the Bears’ resurgence.
Personal Life
Williams is not married and has no children. His relationship status has been the subject of media speculation and rumors. He was previously in a high-profile relationship with Alina Thyregod, a former high school sweetheart from Denmark whom he reconnected with during his USC days. They made public appearances together, including at the 2024 NFL Draft, but reports indicate they quietly separated ahead of the 2025 season.
As of early 2026, rumors have linked him romantically to model and influencer Ash Kaashh (also known as Ashaley), fueled by her social media posts referencing Bears games and events, though neither has publicly confirmed any relationship. Williams keeps his personal life relatively private, focusing primarily on his football career and community involvement.
At just 24, Caleb Williams continues to build a legacy as a dynamic leader on the field while navigating the spotlight of NFL stardom. Bear Down! 🐻⬛️