Clemson Football: Waiting for the breakout game from Antonio Williams

Clemson football true freshman Antonio Williams has gotten his fair share of publicity, both here and on various other sites.

It’s been well-earned in my estimation, as Williams has provided skills that were lacking last season for a variety of reasons.

Through the Tigers first 6 games, Williams has been targeted 26 times and recorded 22 receptions (84.6% completion rate) for 258 yards and a touchdown.

Simple math tells you if you doubled those numbers – 44 receptions, 516 yards and a couple of touchdowns – Williams would end up with really solid freshman year numbers for a rejuvenated Clemson offense.

But I’m betting that we’ll see more of Williams than the 4.3 targets per game as the season moves forward.  More than the 43 yards per game Williams has been averaging in receptions.

Why? He’s electric with the ball in his hands.

Williams leads the Tigers receivers in yards after the catch with 109 and is second among regular contributors in yards per route run at 1.95, while averaging less than half the average depth of target.  He also leads the team in missed tackles forced with 3.

There are a couple of other numbers I find instructive for Williams and one of them is 0.  As in zero drops in those 26 targets and 22 receptions.

Williams, will likely eventually have a drop or two, it’s a hazard of the position and eventually, it happens to even the best.

The other number is more intriguing to me.  Per Pro Football Focus, Williams has had an opportunities for to make 7 contested catches and he’s pulled in 6 of those, which ties him for the team lead in that category with Davis Allen.

He’s not simply catching passes when he’s open, he’s competing for balls and coming away with receptions.

Antonio Williams stats and traits leads me to believe a breakout game is coming for the Clemson football freshman wide receiver

Remember the days when 50/50 balls were really 80/20 in Clemson’s favor?  Antonio Williams is on the way to bringing those days back.

Williams is earning the coaches trust and he leads the team in yards after catch, missed tackles forced and is tied in contested catches as a true freshman.

It’s just a matter of time till Williams has that breakout game that we know he’s capable of and that will eventually come.

Saturday evening in Tallahassee would be a good time for that to come to fruition.