Freshman All-American WR Antonio Williams has ‘already improved’ for Clemson football

CLEMSON — Clemson football’s passing game is one of the biggest areas the Tigers hope to improve before the 2023 season. Last year, Clemson finished the season outside the top third in the country in passer rating, passing yards and passing touchdowns. In 2021, it was even worse.

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One bright spot in the passing game last season was then-freshman Antonio Williams. The former four-star out of Irmo was the Tigers’ leading receiver with 604 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged more than 10 yards per catch, and he was named a freshman All-American by ESPN, Pro Football Focus and others.

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Clemson wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham said Monday the accolade didn’t go to Williams’ head.

“He doesn’t ride the emotional rollercoaster,” Grisham said. “He’s just one of those rock-solid guys when it comes to showing up and being who he is every day. We can count on him being who he is, and he’s practicing his tail off.”

Now entering his sophomore season, Williams has the opportunity to lead a wide receiver room that aspires to more. Seven scholarship receivers are missing spring practice, some due to injuries and others being freshmen who will enroll later. Grisham said he’s challenged Williams to mature and become a leader in a depleted room, and he feels Williams has answered the challenge early.

“He has dominated the scrimmages already,” Grisham said. “Making plays, playing strong, playing tough, putting his shoulder pads down and finishing plays north and south. He’s already improved.”

Under new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s Air Raid-inspired system, Williams and the other wideouts could thrive. Riley’s offense won’t neglect Clemson’s formidable run game, but the Tigers’ receivers will have plenty of time to shine if they can show improvement.

Williams said early in spring practice that he hopes to become a go-to receiver who can “turn short routes and screens into big plays” when Clemson needs a first down or a score. If last season was any indication, and if Williams is already building upon it, he could be a key part of Clemson’s new-look offense.

“He’s very self-motivated, but we’re challenging him to take another step and not be satisfied,” Grisham said. “He’s a phenomenal player, and he can be one of the best out there.”

Christina Long covers the Clemson Tigers for the Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. You can follow her on Twitter @christinalong00 or email her at clong@gannett.com.