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Auburn needs to impress these players
The Iron Bowl is almost here. And as they do every year, several elite prospects will be in attendance for the game.
The Auburn football program has been waiting for some momentum to come on the recruiting front. While it has picked up some movement over the season, it still puts Auburn in the bottom part of the SEC in recruiting for the 2022 class.
While every visitor is important, here are the five most important visitors for the game.
It’s not very often these days that Clemson and South Carolina directly compete against one another in recruiting. Just ask Dabo Swinney. Clemson’s head coach was asked during his weekly Tuesday press conference how often the two programs go …
It’s not very often these days that Clemson and South Carolina directly compete against one another in recruiting.
Just ask Dabo Swinney.
Clemson’s head coach was asked during his weekly Tuesday press conference how often the two programs go toe-to-toe on the recruiting trail.
“That’s one of those things that earlier when I first got here, I felt like we had a little more competitions, but really very few,” Swinney said. “And, we’re very different. It’s different places…If you love Columbia, you’re probably not going to like Clemson. If you love Clemson, you’re probably not gonna like Columbia. They’re just very different. They offer different things. Both great, but both offer different things.”
While Swinney’s comments are interesting, there are some recruiting battles that Clemson and South Carolina and currently involved in. And, two of those targets — Jefferson (Ga.) 2024 four-star linebacker and Life Christian Academy (Colonial Heights, Va.) 2023 three-star offensive lineman Joshua Miller — will both be in attendance for Saturday’s game at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Some other names include, but are not limited to Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C) 2022 four-star wide receiver Antonio Williams and 2023 running back Jarvis Green, Life Christian Academy (Colonial Heights, Va.) 2023 four-star cornerback Antonio Cotman, Jr., Woodland (Dorchester, S.C.) 2024 four-star offensive tackle Kam Pringle and last, but certainly not least, Catawba Ridge (Fort Mill, S.C.) 2024 five-star quarterback Jadyn Davis.
As Swinney hints, the in-state recruiting pool that Clemson and South Carolina have available to them is rather limited in size. Being that, it’s rare that the two programs target the same prospect, whether it be in or out of state. Granted, there are still occasions on the recruiting trail where that happens, as mentioned above, but it’s become few and far between.
“Then, we both have the same issues when it comes to our recruiting base,” he said. “This is a small population when it comes to football players. I mean, Atlanta’s got more people than the whole state of South Carolina. So, then you throw in that, you got to be able to win in the SEC and the ACC, you got to be a good enough player for that level of competition. And then, you throw in position need, academics, fit…and that pool gets even smaller.”
“I experienced this at Alabama,” Swinney added. “When you’re in a state like this with no pro sports…and it’s arrived to really great colleges with a really big rivalry — Alabama-Auburn, Clemson-South Carolina — a lot of kids grow up one way or the other. I mean, if a kid grew up and he’s Clemson and we offer him, it’s an uphill battle and vice versa…every now and then you have a situation where that could go either way, but usually not.”
Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!
After losing out on St. Christopher’s School (Richmond, Va.) four-star wide receiver Andre Greene, Jr., Clemson turned its attention to an in-state priority target. It was unknown whether or not, he would be in attendance for Saturday’s game, but …
After losing out on St. Christopher’s School (Richmond, Va.) four-star wide receiver Andre Greene, Jr., Clemson turned its attention to an in-state priority target.
It was unknown whether or not, he would be in attendance for Saturday’s game, but Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.) four-star wide receiver Antonio Williams indeed made the trip to Death Valley.
Upon his return visit to Clemson, Williams announced via social media that he’d officially received the offer he’d be waiting on.
This comes just a couple of weeks after wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham was on the sidelines at Dutch Fork, along with alumni of the high school and Clemson freshman receiver Will Taylor.
Williams recently announced a top-6, which includes South Carolina, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Georgia, Auburn and Florida State.
A source familiar with his recruitment informed The Clemson Insider that Notre Dame is no longer recruiting Williams. Now that he’s picked up offers from Clemson and the University of Texas, it’s currently unknown what his top schools are as of now.
Williams (6-0, 180) ranks as the No. 22 wide receiver and No. 149 overall prospect in the nation for the 2022 class, per the 247Sports Composite.
Blessed to say I have received an offer from Clemson University. #GoTigers #AGTG @Coach_Grisham pic.twitter.com/KJbs5HcL1d
— Antonio Williams (@a_williams2022) November 20, 2021
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It’s decision day for a priority recruit in the 2022 class. St. Christopher’s School (Richmond, Va.) four-star wide receiver Andre Greene, Jr. is set to announce his college decision at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Greene, coming off a Clemson official …
It’s decision day for a priority recruit in the 2022 class.
St. Christopher’s School (Richmond, Va.) four-star wide receiver Andre Greene, Jr. is set to announce his college decision at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Greene, coming off a Clemson official visit this past weekend, will be deciding between the Tigers, North Carolina and Georgia.
Clemson appeared to have made up some ground this weekend, spending a significant amount of time with the talented receiver. We’ve spoken to multiple sources, who have detailed Greene’s experience, believing that he thoroughly enjoyed himself and felt like he was made a priority throughout the weekend.
Five-star quarterback Cade Klubnik and the rest of Clemson’s commits feel like they put a strong foot forward with Greene this weekend. Klubnik has been recruiting his close friend hard for a while now. He was parked right next to Greene in the stands for the entirety of Clemson’s season-opener vs. Georgia in Charlotte.
“I feel really good,” Klubnik told The Clemson Insider regarding Clemson’s chances of landing Greene. “I think he had a great time. I love Andre. He’s a fun, energetic guy, but man, he’s a really, really good football player. He’ll be able to help out a ton. I’m feeling good about him, so we’re really hoping he makes the decision.”
Greene has been careful with his recruitment. He’s kept tonight’s decision very closed vest. Clemson’s coaches and commits have kept close contact ever since he departed back to Virginia and have continued their full-court press pursuit of Greene.
“Andre told us he really enjoyed his time, but I’m hoping that means he is coming home,” Greenville (S.C.) three-star tight end commit Josh Sapp told TCI.
Clemson did all it could this past weekend and certainly gave Greene something to think about. We are not sure if this past weekend’s events were enough for Clemson to inch past UNC, who entered Greene’s official visit weekend as the favorite. We wouldn’t be surprised to see this one go either way, but we aren’t in a position to put a sunny forecast on this one at this time.
If Greene does commit to Chapel Hill, it would open up the door for Clemson to offer Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.) four-star wide receiver, Antonio Williams.
Over the past month Clemson has turned up their attention for Williams. Prior to Clemson’s 30-24 win over Louisville, wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham spent that Friday night on the recruiting trail, watching Williams from Dutch Fork’s sidelines, alongside freshman receiver Will Taylor.
Of course, that’s contingent on what Greene decides tonight. In any event, Clemson pulled out all the stops. It just might not have been enough to unseat Mack Brown and Co. as the favorites for Greene’s recruitment.
Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!
Clemson wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham hit the recruiting trail Friday night. Ahead of Clemson’s Saturday night matchup against Louisville, Grisham stayed in the Palmetto State and was in attendance for Dutch Fork’s (Irmo, S.C.) game against …
Clemson wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham hit the recruiting trail Friday night.
Ahead of Clemson’s Saturday night matchup against Louisville, Grisham stayed in the Palmetto State and was in attendance for Dutch Fork’s (Irmo, S.C.) game against Socastee (Myrtle Beach, S.C.).
Grisham is there to see 2022 four-star receiver, Antonio Williams, his mother confirmed to The Clemson Insider. Additionally, Clemson freshman receiver/quarterback Will Taylor was also back at his alma mater, alongside Grisham on the sidelines.
Taylor is out for the season after tearing his ACL during Clemson’s 19-13 win over Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 2.
As for Williams, 247Sports considers him the No. 19 wide receiver and No. 125 overall prospect regardless of opposition in the 2022 class.
While Clemson hasn’t offered just yet, Williams holds an impressive list of offers, which includes schools like Notre Dame, Florida State, Georgia, Auburn and Ole Miss, which make up his top-6.
Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!
One of South Carolina’s top prospects for the 2022 cycle.
Texas is now in the mix for one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2022 recruiting class. Continue reading “Texas extends an offer to 2022 four-star WR Antonio Williams”
Auburn has made the final lost of schools for one of the top wide receivers in the country.
Auburn has made the final cut for four-star wide receiver Antonio Williams.
Williams is from Irmo, South Carolina, and announced a top six of Auburn, Notre Dame, Florida State, Ole Miss, and South Carolina Friday night on Twitter.
Williams is one of the top recruits in South Carolina, ranking fifth in the state and is the 23rd best wide receiver in the country and the 160th nationally in the 247Sports Composite ranking.
The 6-foot, 180-pound Williams plays for Dutch Fork and has caught seven passes for 143 yards and one touchdown in two games as a senior.
Auburn’s 2022 recruiting class currently has 11 members and ranks 41st nationally and 14th in the SEC.
Top 6 @rledits24 🤝 pic.twitter.com/eAMlRYrYfC
— Antonio Williams (@a_williams2022) September 10, 2021
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We talked to Buffalo running back Antonio Williams about why he became a sponsor in NASCAR.
Growing up in North Carolina, Buffalo Bills’ Antonio Williams loved NASCAR in large part thanks to his late grandfather, who died last year.
And now, the 23-year-old running back — who’s coming off his rookie NFL season and recently signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bills — is more than a fan of racing.
Days before the start of the 2021 NASCAR season in February, Williams announced his partnership with driver Joe Graf Jr., who’s now in his second season in the second-tier Xfinity Series. He joins New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara as another NFL player to sponsor an Xfinity team or driver. Williams declined to specify the details of his investment.
Let’s go! @A_B_Williams26, running back for the @BuffaloBills with the command to fire engines!#BuckedUp200 | @buckedupsupps
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) March 6, 2021
Williams said he’s been to all four NASCAR race weekends so far this season, and he hopes to get to as many as possible before Bills training camp begins this summer. The running back also was the Grand Marshal for the third-tier Truck Series race last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
With Graf, Williams said he’s working to recruit more sponsors and connect them to boost the driver’s resources. When Graf’s team, SS Green Light Racing, announced last month a new sponsor this season in Z Grills, it described William’s role in that deal as “instrumental.”
For The Win recently spoke with Williams about his love for NASCAR, his future in the sport and working with Graf.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
I grew up watching it with my granddad, and he passed in August. And I wanted to do something in NASCAR to honor him, and that led to everything with Joe. It’s definitely taken off. I think the fact that I’m doing this to honor him is a big reason.
I don’t know if you believe in fate or destiny or everything happening for a reason. But honestly, I truly believe everything happens for a reason, and me getting involved with NASCAR to honor my grandad is the reason it’s going so well right now.
Stories are meant to be told. NASCAR means more to me than a lot of people know, and my hunger is stronger than ever. Love the connection between myself and @Joegrafjr pic.twitter.com/NhnSXcw2NP
— Antonio Williams (@A_B_Williams26) February 26, 2021
NASCAR is very strategic, and I don’t think a lot of people understand the strategy within it. They don’t get that manufacturing matters, they don’t get that sponsors matter, they don’t get that side of it. I like to observe that and take notice of how drivers drive, how they take drafts, moves they make and key moments. That’s just so exciting to me.
I did, Tony Stewart.
Joe personally, but I’ll obviously help with SS Green Light in any opportunity I can get. What I really want to do is help Joe excel in the sport and continue to learn the business of NASCAR because my goal is to own a team eventually. So this is leading me to that, I believe.
Ever wondered how I look watching @Joegrafjr race? Here ya go 😂 pic.twitter.com/LddAIjYk8n
— Antonio Williams (@A_B_Williams26) March 9, 2021
Any level at this point. Obviously, the Cup Series is the highest, but everybody’s got to start somewhere. I’m a guy that I want to be the best in anything I do, [and] what I can do is build up and learn and get knowledge from that and work up to become the best possible Cup owner.
Honestly, I see this being a long-term deal with me and Joe. Partnership, friendship wise, we’re around the same age. We’ve got a very similar story, that journey. We both didn’t have the rookie year that we wanted. This second year, Joe’s [14th] in points right now, and that’s a huge jump from where he was last year.
It’s race day! Good luck to my guy @Joegrafjr Excited to watch you race! pic.twitter.com/FO4aEOecIz
— Antonio Williams (@A_B_Williams26) February 27, 2021
In all reality, the lifelong dream was to be a driver. But now that I’m in business side of it, I’ve fallen in love with that ownership part. That’s something that I think I’ll be very good at, honestly, because I’m good with connections. I’m good with noticing or seeing potential in guys, and I’ll be able to help build a team that will be successful in NASCAR.
There’s a new demographic coming to NASCAR in the fans. And that whole situation with Bubba [Wallace] last season, that made people want to get more interested. That’s beneficial, so I definitely think it’s changing and in a better way. I think it’ll be more innovative. I think there’ll be more ideas to change that will have benefit the sport in the long run. …
With Alvin and myself, I think it brought some people to look at it who have never watched NASCAR. After we announced that I was partnering with Joe, there were so many people that were talking about how they had never watched NASCAR. But because of that, they are. That’s just a little glimpse of what’s happening, and the diversity will just continue to grow.
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The Bills signed 13 players to reserve/futures contracts. Those roster transactions were announced by the team on Tuesday. The full list includes: WR Duke Williams RB Antonio Williams QB Davis Webb RB Christian Wade S Josh Thomas DE Mike Love WR …
The Bills signed 13 players to reserve/futures contracts. Those roster transactions were announced by the team on Tuesday.
The full list includes:
Of these 13, eight appeared on an active game day roster for the Bills in 2020. Those include Bryant, Cox, Jackson, Kumerow, Love, Thomas and both Williams. Jackson and Kumerow made the largest impacts of the bunch.
A reserve/future contract guarantees that a player cannot be signed by another team. It goes into effect once the new league year begins and will count towards the next season’s salary cap and 90-man roster for the offseason and training camp.
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Buffalo Bills RB Antonio Williams, CB Dane Jackson called up from practice squad for Ravens game, Devonta Freeman, Kenny Stills not.
The Bills called up two players from their practice squad on Friday, one day ahead of their AFC Divisional round matchup with the Ravens. The team announced that the pair is running back Antonio Williams and cornerback Dane Jackson.
In turn, that means running back Devonta Freeman and wide receiver Kenny Stills, two players who were signed by Buffalo, were not called up. They will continue to wait to make their Bills debuts.
On that same idea, bringing Williams and Jackson up from the practice squad is not a guarantee either will even play for the team on game day. In recent weeks the team has called players up but left hem inactive on game day.
Williams and Jackson, both rookies, have made their debuts for the Bills already this season and have impressed in brief spurts.
On the running back, Bills head coach Sean McDermott did say either this week that TJ Yeldon, not Williams, would be the No. 2 behind Devin Singletary in Buffalo’s backfield in lieu of Zack Moss’s ankle injury. At cornerback, the Bills have had no recent injuries, but Jackson has found his way on the field for the Buffalo five times already this season.
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