Antonio Williams Scouting Report: Clemson WR | 2026 NFL Draft Prospect

Jul 17
7 min read

Name: Antonio Williams

Position: Wide Receiver

School: Clemson University

Height/Weight: 5’11”, 190 lbs

Class: Junior (2025 season)

Hometown: Irmo, SC

High School: Dutch Fork High School

Recruiting Rank: 4-star recruit, #83 overall, #9 WR nationally (2022, ESPN)

Draft Range Summary

Antonio Williams is projected as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, with some analysts ranking him as a top wide receiver, driven by his elite route-running and yards-after-catch ability during Clemson's 2024 campaign.

• PFF: 1st round, No. 5 WR overall (Jul 2025)

• ESPN: 1st round, No. 20 overall, WR (Jun 2025)

• CBS Sports: No. 19 overall, WR (Jul 2025)

• The Athletic: Competing for WR1 (Jun 2025)

• NFL Draft Buzz: 1st round, 86.5 rating (Jul 2025)

• Tankathon: 1st round, No. 28 overall, WR1 (Jul 2025)

Combine Data/Unofficial Times: No official NFL Combine data available (as of July 17, 2025). Per NFL Draft Buzz, Williams ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash. High school stats: 2,057 yards, 33 TDs over senior season (2021).

Career Background

Antonio Williams, a four-star recruit from Dutch Fork High School, was a key contributor to multiple state championships, earning All-State honors with 2,057 yards and 33 TDs as a senior. He chose Clemson over Auburn, Florida State, and South Carolina. As a true freshman (2022), Williams emerged as a starter, recording 56 receptions for 604 yards and 4 TDs. Injuries limited him to five games in 2023 (19 receptions, 224 yards, 2 TDs). In 2024, he started all 14 games, leading Clemson with 75 receptions, 908 yards, and 11 TDs, helping the Tigers to an ACC Championship appearance.

Williams returns in 2025, aiming for a Biletnikoff campaign under coaches Garrett Riley (Offensive Coordinator) and Dabo Swinney, leveraging Clemson's spread offense and a veteran line (28 sacks allowed, 2024, PFF). His slot versatility and yards-after-catch prowess position him as a top WR1 candidate.

Career Stats (Through 2024 Season)

• 2022 (Freshman, Clemson): 56 receptions, 604 yards (10.8 YPR), 4 TDs; 4 rushes, 25 yards; no drops recorded (PFF 2022)

• 2023 (Redshirt Sophomore, PFF 2023): 19 receptions, 224 yards (11.8 YPR), 2 TDs; 3 rushes, 18 yards; limited by injuries

• 2024 (Junior, PFF 2024): 75 receptions, 908 yards (12.1 YPR), 11 TDs; 5 rushes, 66 yards, 1 TD; 8 drops

• Career Totals (3 Seasons): 153 receptions, 1,732 yards (11.3 YPR), 17 TDs; 12 rushes, 109 yards, 1 TD; 307 punt return yards

Advanced Stats (2024, PFF 2024)

• PFF Receiving Grade: 74.1

• PFF Route Grade: 72.6

• Yards After Catch: 339 (37.3% of total)

• Forced Missed Tackles: 14

• Forced Missed Tackles per Reception: 0.187 (14 missed tackles / 75 receptions)

• Breakaway Reception %: 8.0% (6 receptions of 40+ yards)

• Fumble Rate: 0.0% (0 fumbles, 75 receptions), elite among WRs

• Drop Rate: 9.6% (8 drops, 100 targets), above median (~7.0%)

• Contested Catch Rate: 57.9% (11/19)

• Alignment (2024): Slot: 58.0% (269 snaps), Z: 41.5% (188 snaps), X: 0.5% (1 snap)

Awards and Accolades

• High School:

• All-State Selection (2021)

• South Carolina State Champion (Dutch Fork, multiple years)

• Under Armour All-American Game Participant (2022)

• College:

• Freshman All-American (2022)

• First-team All-ACC (2024)

• All-ACC Academic Honor Roll (2022–2024)

• PFF ACC Player of the Week (vs. Florida State, 2024)

Character and Leadership

Williams’ journey from Dutch Fork to Clemson reflects resilience and maturity, per clemsontigers.com. A vocal leader in the WR room, he earned praise from coach Dabo Swinney for mentoring younger receivers like Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore during spring practices. His 2025 return signals team commitment, per X posts. No off-field issues reported, with X posts noting his youth football camp in Irmo honoring a late high school teammate.

Injuries

Williams suffered ankle and toe injuries in 2023, limiting him to five games and impacting his sophomore production. He played all 14 games in 2024 without issues, recording a career-high 75 receptions. His 5’11”, 190-pound frame and quickness (4.45 40) suggest agility over power, but his injury history raises concerns for NFL physicality. A healthy 2025 offseason is key to maintaining explosiveness.

Play Style

Antonio Williams is a shifty, route-savvy receiver with elite separation and yards-after-catch ability, thriving in Clemson’s spread offense. His quickness (4.45 40) and route precision (94th percentile separation vs. single coverage, PFF 2024) create explosive plays, like his 57-yard TD vs. NC State. He navigates zones with sharp cuts and vision, averaging 12.1 YPR and 2.05 YPRR. His 339 yards after catch (37.3%) show elusiveness, but his 190-pound frame limits contested catch situations (57.9% rate) compared to traditional X receivers (6’2”+, 215 lbs+, excel in contested catches). His alignment in 2024—58.0% slot, 41.5% Z, 0.5% X—highlights his role as a slot/Z hybrid, excelling in short-to-intermediate routes (10.2-yard average depth of target) with occasional deep threats (8.0% breakaway receptions).

As a slot specialist (58.0% snaps), Williams’ 75 catches and 139.1 targeted QB rating highlight versatility on screens and crossers, fitting the slot archetype (5’8”–5’11”, 170–190 lbs, route-running focus). His Z alignment (41.5%) leverages his route-running and motion (42% snaps), aligning with Z traits (5’10”–6’2”, 190–215 lbs, blending route-running and versatility). His minimal X usage (0.5%) reflects his smaller frame, less suited for contested 1-on-1s typical of X receivers. His blocking is willing but lacks strength, aiding perimeter runs but needing refinement for NFL physicality. Vision occasionally falters on improvised routes, and his route tree is slot-heavy. Ball security is strong (0 fumbles), but size concerns limit him in outside matchups. Ideally, Williams should line up primarily in the slot (60–70%) to maximize his quickness, YAC ability, and route precision, with occasional Z alignment (30–40%) to exploit motion and mismatches, avoiding X due to size and contested catch limitations.

Strengths

1. Elite Route-Running: 94th percentile separation, 88th percentile vs. single coverage (PFF 2024).

2. Elusiveness: 0.187 FMTPA, 14 forced missed tackles (PFF 2024).

3. Yards After Catch: 339 YAC (4.5 YAC/rec), shifty in open field.

4. Ball Security: 0.0% fumble rate, zero career fumbles (PFF 2024).

5. Big-Game Impact: 11 TDs in 2024, multiple 100-yard performances.

Weaknesses

1. Limited Size/Power: 190 lbs limits blocking and contested catches (57.9% rate, below X receiver expectations).

2. Blocking Nuance: Willing but lacks leverage and strength for NFL run support.

3. Route Tree Inconsistency: Slot-heavy, needs polish on outside concepts for Z/X versatility.

4. Durability Concerns: 2023 injuries untested for full-season volume.

5. Drop Rate: 9.6% (8 drops), hands need consistency.

Limitations

Williams’ smaller frame (190 lbs) and moderate power limit his effectiveness as an X receiver, favoring slot roles in spread systems that maximize his route-running and elusiveness (0.187 FMTPA). His zero fumbles are elite, but his injury history (2023 ankle/toe) raises questions for a WR1 role. Blocking needs strength gains for NFL run support. His 2024 alignment (58.0% slot, 41.5% Z, 0.5% X) suggests he’s best suited for slot-heavy schemes, with limited X potential due to size and contested catch rate (57.9% vs. ~65%+ for X archetypes). Adding 5–10 lbs and proving durability in 2025, especially against LSU’s secondary in Week 1, are critical for WR1 status.

College Scheme Experience

Williams operates in Clemson’s spread offense under Garrett Riley (2023–present), featuring 55% 11 personnel, 45% pass rate, and a 60% play-action mix, with up-tempo pace (2.2 plays/minute, PFF 2024). The scheme leverages Williams’ quickness (12.1 YPR) and separation (94th percentile) on crossers and slants, as seen in his 11 TDs. Motion (42% snaps) and RPOs (15%) create space for his YAC (339 yards), while his 75 catches (25% WR targets) highlight checkdowns and screens, boosting his slot value (58.0% snaps).

In 2022 under Brandon Streeter, the offense was more vertical (50% deep targets), suiting Williams’ freshman breakout (604 yards). Riley’s 2023–2024 spread increased slot usage, elevating Williams’ efficiency (74.1 PFF grade) and big-play rate (8.0%). His rotation with Wesco/Moore (442 routes) caps volume, but 37.3% YAC shines behind Clemson’s line (28 sacks allowed, PFF 2024). In 2025, Riley’s scheme with Cade Klubnik and TEs like Olsen Patt-Henry will expand Williams’ red-zone role, likely emphasizing slot (60–70%) and Z (30–40%) alignments.

Player Comparison

Comparison: Tyler Lockett (5’10”, 182 lbs, Seattle Seahawks, 2015–present). Lockett’s explosive quickness (4.40 40), elusiveness (~0.20 FMTPA, est.), and YAC (5.0 YAC/rec career) mirror Williams’ 4.45 40, 0.187 FMTPA, and 4.5 YAC/rec. Both thrive in spread schemes, using sharp routes and burst (Lockett’s 13.0 YPR, Williams’ 12.1 YPR), as seen in Williams’ 904-yard season and Lockett’s 1,000-yard years. Their contested catches (~50% vs. 57.9%) and slot usage (~60%) align, with Lockett’s punt returns (2,500+ yards) matching Williams’ 307. At 5’10”, 182 lbs, Lockett is slightly smaller than Williams’ 5’11”, 190 lbs, but Williams’ frame offers leverage, while Lockett’s third-round pedigree (No. 69, 2015) edges Williams’ projected top-32 pick.

Off-Field Considerations

Williams’ high school success and Clemson rise reflect discipline, per clemsontigers.com. His WR room leadership, praised by Swinney, shows maturity. No off-field issues reported, with X posts highlighting his Irmo youth camp honoring a teammate.

Draft Outlook and Recommendations

Antonio Williams’ elite route-running, YAC ability, and slot versatility position him as a top WR1 candidate for the 2026 NFL Draft. His 2024 breakout (904 yards, 11 TDs) and 2025 return to Clemson offer a chance to prove durability and add bulk, critical for a first-round lock. Facing Georgia’s defense in Week 1 and dominating ACC opponents will solidify his stock, per PFF projections. A 1,200-yard, 15-TD 2025 could secure a top-15 pick, while regression risks a second-round slide.

• Personal Draft Recommendation: mid-late 1st Round (2026). Williams’ separation, elusiveness, and YAC make him a dynamic playmaker, ideally in the slot (60–70%) with some Z usage (30–40%). Adding 5–10 lbs and proving injury-free volume are key. Staying at Clemson maximizes his development in Riley’s scheme.

Final Evaluation

Antonio Williams’ explosive quickness, elite route-running, and YAC potential make him a premier 2026 NFL Draft prospect with WR1 upside, best suited for slot-heavy roles. His separation and home run ability make him a dangerous weapon on any down, particularly in short-to-intermediate routes. His 2024 performance and 2025 return to Clemson provide a platform to address size and durability concerns, positioning him as a potential NFL slot star with targeted development, akin to Tyler Lockett’s dynamic impact.