Clemson Football: 5 Tigers who will blow up in 2023
By John Chancey
Antonio Williams
Williams blew up to Clemson Nation last season. His playmaking ability at wide receiver had been sorely missed the last couple of seasons, not to mention he was doing much of it from the slot. Tiger fans became accustomed to solid slot play following the days of Hunter Renfrow and Amare Rodgers.
While Williams blew up to Clemson, he isn’t a well-known name nationally yet. Williams led the team with 604 yards receiving in 2022, which tied him for 161st in the nation in receiving yards.
161st in the country isn’t anything special. To be considered special in the big picture, Williams will need to step his game up in 2023.
In the old Clemson offense, that might have been a challenge. In Riley’s offense, that doesn’t seem out of reach at all.
Williams will have to brush off the sophomore slump, which is a real thing. College football fans from around the nation may not know who he is yet, but I guarantee Duke, Florida State, and NC State know exactly who he is. They will be devising ways to keep him contained, and he will likely draw their best defenders.
What Williams needs most to blow up is for the other receivers around him to prove capable. He needs Beaux Collins to re-emerge. He needs Cole Turner and Adam Randall to make good on their potential.
If the Tiger offense proves to be capable, Williams has a chance to be special.