Commitment breakdown: Rivals250 WR Antonio Williams picks Clemson
Rivals250 prospect Antonio Williams had a slower start to his recruitment but teams really started flocking to him this past spring. Last season Williams accounted for 1,504 Total Yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games but, in 13 games at Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork as a senior, Williams put hauled in 85 catches for more than 1,600 yards and scored 15 times. That kind of production got the attention of almost every college coach in the country.
Once the dead period ended in June, Williams mostly stayed in the Southeast when it came to visits. After exploring many of his options, Williams narrowed his list of suitors down to Auburn, South Carolina, and Clemson. Many believed Williams would stay in-state for college and he did just that when he committed to Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers.
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WHAT THE TIGERS ARE GETTING...
Williams has plenty of speed but it's his explosiveness and excellent routes that make him special. He gets open with ease, creating a lot of separation between him and the defensive back using a combination of quickness, crisp footwork, and subtle movements with his head, arms, or hips. Williams does a good job picking up yards after the catch and has shown the ability to contribute in the return game. He has very reliable hands and that should help him see the field fairly early in his college career. It will be interesting to see how he handles bigger and more physical defensive backs at the college level. He does have as much experience breaking press coverage against true Power Five cornerbacks so there will be an adjustment period.
WHY IT'S BIG FOR CLEMSON...
Clemson wasn't recruiting Williams heavily until recently and everybody, including Williams knew why. The Tigers were waiting to see what Rivals100 receiver Andre Greene Jr. was going to do but once he decided not to play for Clemson, Dabo Swinney and his staff quickly turned their attention to the in-state star. Williams had been feeling the pressure from South Carolina's coaching staff for a long time. The Gamecocks placed a high priority on Williams throughout the recruiting process and this has to sting Clemson's in-state rival. Auburn picked up some late momentum coming off their official visit but Clemson remained the leader and was ultimately the choice for Williams.