January 4, 2025 Drew Cagle Football
Clemson standout wide receiver Antonio Williams has announced on Friday morning that he’ll be returning for his senior season, per his Instagram account.
The Columbia, S.C. native was an x-factor in the Tigers offense in 2024. He caught 74 passes for 902 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories.
Williams has grown into the player he is today through steady improvement. As a highly-touted freshman, he racked up 604 yards on 56 catches, four of which went for touchdowns. Despite an injury keeping him out of action for much of his sophomore season, he still amassed 21 catches, 208 yards, and two touchdowns.
2024 was a big season for Williams, who profiled as a late-round pick should he had declared for the NFL Draft. Serving as Clemson’s number one receiver, he piled up multi-touchdown games against NC State, Pitt, and The Citadel. In the 24-20 victory in Pittsburgh on November 16th, Williams hauled in 13 of his 17 targets to the tune of 149 yards and two scores.
With the news earlier in the week that quarterback Cade Klubnik will also be returning to the team in 2025, Clemson fans have good reason to be excited about next season. Following multiple transfer portal additions, including fellow wide receiver Tristan Smith, the offense should be one of the best in the ACC and nationally.
Smith and Williams could serve to be a great fit in the CU offense due to their similar styles. Both were used in a field-stretcher role, running several vertical routes per game to stress defenses deep. Even though Smith’s production came at the FCS level, he should still help take some attention away from Williams, Klubnik’s top target. Add in returners Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore, and the Clemson offense should be humming.
Head coach Dabo Swinney and his staff should be commended for their efforts to not only add to the team this offseason through high school recruiting and the transfer portal, but also retention of the players from the 2024 roster. Players like linebacker Wade Woodaz will anchor one of the nation’s strongest defenses, which is littered with experience from past years.
