Antonio Williams led Clemson in receptions and receiving yards as a freshman last year, but his coaches think he still has plenty of room to grow.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Clemson coaches raved about Williams, who is entering his sophomore campaign this fall.
One of the coaches that spoke highly of Williams was Garrett Riley, who is entering his first season as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator.
“I know he’s gotten faster,” Riley said of Williams. “The guy is physically in a better place than where he’s been at. The sky is the limit for him. He was really, really good for us, really productive this spring. I thought he was consistent the whole way through, but I think physically, and probably his confidence level is growing; he’s a confident kid anyway. The guy has made a lot of plays here already, but he’s going to continue to make a lot more for us.”
Head coach Dabo Swinney had similar praise for the former four-star recruit.
“Physically, he’s in a different place. He’s mentally in a different place,” Swinney said. “He has a different understanding. I thought he hit a wall a little bit last year, and then he kind of came on and found himself again… it’s amazing how far he’s developed. I mean, you look at him; he’s thicker, he’s bigger, faster and stronger. And that’s what should happen if you’re putting the work in.”
Williams’ position coach, Tyler Grisham, added that he reminds him of Hunter Renfrow with the way Williams stays calm and even-keeled.
As the Tigers’ primary slot receiver, Williams finished 2022 with 56 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns. He also returned 15 punts for an average of 8.6 yards per return.
With the way the coaches are praising him, Williams could be in store for a breakout sophomore season this fall.
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