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One word convinced Clemson football's Antonio Williams to return for 2025 season, spurn NFL draft
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- One word convinced Clemson football's Antonio Williams to return for 2025 season, spurn NFL draft
CLEMSON — Wide receiver Antonio Williams wants to be etched in Clemson football 's history.
Williams, who has two years of eligibility remaining, returned for his fourth season instead of entering the 2025 NFL Draft. In his conversations with his family and coaches on whether he should return to Clemson or go pro, he said leaving a legacy was among his top priorities.
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"A big word thrown around was 'legacy,'" Williams said Saturday. "I felt like leaving early, not really ending it the way I wanted to, wouldn't have been a great finish in my career here at Clemson."
Williams led Clemson in receiving yards (904), receptions (75) and receiving touchdowns (11) last season, blossoming into quarterback Cade Klubnik 's favorite target. His dominant 2024 season put him in reach of multiple career Clemson records.
Williams has 153 career receptions, 92 shy of record-holder Artavis Scott (245). Williams has 17 receiving touchdowns, 10 shy of DeAndre Hopkins , Sammy Watkins and Tee Higgins , who lead with 27 each. Williams has also recorded a catch in 33 consecutive games, 10 shy of the record 43 set by Hunter Renfrow .
Williams showcased his versatility last season after rushing for, throwing and catching a touchdown. He joined C.J. Spiller (2008, 2009), Jacoby Ford (2009) and Sammy Watkins (2012) as Clemson players since 2000 to accomplish the feat in a season.
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Williams' combination of speed, versatility and savviness makes him one of the best receivers in the ACC.
"Antonio was a really interesting example because his was really an NFL decision, right?," Clemson football general manager Jordan Sorrells said on the 2 Right Turns podcast. "He was considering the NFL, and so in our conversations with him, that was one where it was cut a backflip off the table because we got Antonio back. That was a lot of fun, and I've got a great appreciation for Antonio."
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Williams' return helped Clemson retain every end-of-season starter from 2024 with eligibility remaining . Other players who could have entered the draft but came back to Clemson instead were offensive linemen Blake Miller and Tristan Leigh, defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart , linebacker Wade Woodaz and Klubnik.
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With so many experienced and talented players returning, Clemson eyes a national championship.
"I felt like I had a great opportunity to come back, win the national championship and just submit myself as one of the best teams to come around through here, so that's my goal," Williams said.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Why WR Antonio Williams chose Tigers over NFL draft
