Antonio Williams WR Clemson | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Antonio Williams WR Clemson
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Slot Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/07/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (69%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 20.11 DOB: 07/14/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Slot Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 05/07/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (69%*) | |
| Age: 20.11 DOB: 07/14/2004 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 86.5 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 131.9 | |
| Hands: |
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63% |
| Short Receiving: |
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75% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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76% |
| Deep Threat: |
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84% |
| Blocking: |
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58% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Early
Overall Rank:
#37
Position rank:
#8
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| College Games: 32 College Snaps: 1495 | ||
ESPN RATING: 84/100
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247 RATING: 96/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Malachi Corley - Western Kentucky |
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92% |
| Kayshon Boutte - LSU |
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88% |
| Reggie Roberson Jr. - SMU |
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88% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Antonio Williams arrived at Clemson as a decorated 4-star prospect out of Dutch Fork High School, where he dominated South Carolina competition with a blend of route precision and dynamic playmaking ability. The Irmo native hit the ground running as a true freshman in 2022, leading the Tigers in receptions (56) and receiving yards (604) while earning Freshman All-American honors from multiple outlets. After an injury-plagued sophomore campaign limited him to just four regular-season games, Williams roared back with vengeance in 2024, posting 75 catches for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns while emerging as QB Cade Klubnik's most trusted target.The production speaks volumes – recording a reception in all 33 games he's played at Clemson, a streak that will enter 2025 just 10 shy of Hunter Renfrow's school record. His versatility has been on full display throughout his career, joining rare company in 2024 as just the fourth Tiger since 2000 to record a passing touchdown, rushing touchdown, and receiving touchdown in the same season. While not possessing prototypical size, Williams has flourished both outside and in the slot, showcasing advanced route-running techniques that belie his years while also contributing significantly as a punt returner, where his 9.65-yard average in 2024 was the program's best since 2017.
Rather than testing NFL waters after his breakout 2024 campaign (which earned him first-team All-ACC honors), Williams made the calculated decision to return for his senior season, positioning himself for a potential rise up draft boards. With established chemistry alongside Klubnik and complementary weapons in young standouts Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore, Williams enters 2025 with legitimate chances to challenge several major Clemson receiving records, including Artavis Scott's career mark of 245 receptions and the program's touchdown reception record of 27 currently shared by DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins, and Tee Higgins.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional body control that allows him to contort mid-air and adjust to off-target throws – plays larger than his 5'11" frame would suggest, especially on boundary routes where he demonstrates remarkable spatial awareness.
- Crisp, nuanced route runner who creates consistent separation through precise footwork and sudden breaks – shows some veteran craftiness in how he uses subtle head fakes and pacing changes to manipulate defensive backs.
- Displays natural hands-catcher mentality with soft mitts that pluck balls away from his frame – consistently extends to expand his catch radius and shows impressive concentration when working through traffic.
- Possesses significant juice after the catch with compact running style that helps him slip tackles – more wiggle than straight-line burner, but turns routine catches into chunk gains through vision and competitive running.
- Advanced release package for his age with quick-twitch movements off the line – employs effective jab steps and hand techniques to beat press coverage despite size limitations, rarely gets jammed up at the snap.
- Shows impressive football intelligence reading coverages on the fly – finds soft spots against zone with natural instinct and adjusts routes accordingly, becoming a quarterback's best friend in scramble situations.
- Positional versatility to align both outside and in the slot – gives offensive coordinators flexibility in personnel groupings and formation diversity, can be moved around to create favorable matchups.
- Adds legitimate special teams value as a punt returner – averaged nearly 10 yards per return in 2024, displaying vision, patience, and enough wiggle to contribute immediately in this phase at the next level.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks prototypical size for boundary work at the next level – 5'11" and 190-pound frame could limit effectiveness against longer, physical NFL corners in contested situations and red zone opportunities.
- Despite good functional speed, doesn't possess true home-run hitting gear – adequate but not elite top-end acceleration means he won't consistently take the top off NFL defenses on vertical routes.
- Concerning injury history after being limited to just four regular-season games in 2023 – durability questions persist about whether his frame can withstand the physical pounding of a full NFL season.
- Needs significant technical refinement as a blocker – shows willing attitude but lacks ideal play strength and leverage in perimeter blocking situations, potentially limiting early-down snaps.
- Production dipped dramatically during truncated sophomore campaign – creates legitimate questions about consistency and ability to sustain elite production against upper-tier competition week after week.
Scouting Report: Summary
Williams offers an intriguing blend of technical polish and playmaking ability that should translate to the next level, though with some limitations. His route-running savvy jumps off the tape – the way he sets up defenders with tempo changes and subtle head fakes reveals a receiver who truly understands leverage. His hands are reliable in traffic, and he's shown consistent ability to create separation on short and intermediate routes. However, his average size and good-not-great top-end speed will likely prevent him from developing into a true WR1 at the NFL level, instead profiling as a high-end complementary piece.Scheme fit will ultimately determine Williams' ceiling. In timing-based passing attacks that emphasize quick decisions and YAC opportunities, he could become an immediate contributor, particularly from the slot. His football intelligence and spatial awareness against zone coverage would make him valuable on crucial downs where finding soft spots is essential. The return game prowess adds legitimate roster value, potentially earning him early playing time while he adjusts to NFL competition. That said, he'll need development as a perimeter blocker and could struggle against press coverage from longer, more physical NFL corners.
The tape shows a receiver with early day-two value whose draft position should reflect both his polished game and physical limitations. Teams will be divided on Williams – some will see a technically refined prospect ready to contribute immediately, while others will question his ability to separate consistently against NFL-caliber defenders. His injury history raises legitimate durability concerns that will require thorough medical evaluation. Williams has the tools to carve out a productive NFL career as a reliable slot target and third-down specialist, though he'll need the right system to maximize his strengths while minimizing his physical shortcomings.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
How other scouting services rate Antonio Williams (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
37.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
5.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.