One former Clemson wideout decided to return to the NFL this season, while another has decided to walk away from the game. Hunter Renfrow announced his NFL return earlier this offseason, and he signed a deal with the Carolina Panthers, but legendary wideout Mike Williams is walking away.
On Wednesday night, the Chargers' wide receiver and Clemson legend informed his team that he would be retiring after eight seasons in the league.
This would have been his second stint with the Chargers after spending the 2024 season with the Jets and Steelers. He returned to the Chargers this offseason and was getting set to join Jim Harbaugh's squad, but he decided to call it a career.
Sources: Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams’ agent Tory Dandy informed the team last night that, after eight seasons, his client is retiring from the NFL. Williams walks away from the game at age 30. pic.twitter.com/f97JzkcYHj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 17, 2025
Williams was one of those receivers who looked like he was going to be a superstar coming out of Clemson after leading the Tigers to a national title in 2016. He had two 1,000-yard seasons at Clemson, split up by an injury-plagued 2015 season where he played just one game. He returned in 2016 to post a career-high 98 catches for over 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns as Clemson won the national championship.
The Los Angeles Chargers selected him No. 7 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, taking a chance on the talented receiver early in the first round.
Williams played minimally as a rookie, catching 11 passes for 95 yards in 10 games before breaking out in year two with 664 yards and 10 touchdowns on 43 receptions. His first 1,000-yard season in the NFL came in 2019 as he led the league in yards per catch (20.4) and had 1,001 yards and two scores with 49 receptions.
The Clemson legend had just one more 1,000-yard season two years later before regressing due to some wear and tear and the fact that he seemed to lose a step. He finishes his NFL career with 330 catches for 5,104 yards and 32 touchdowns over eight seasons.
It's a sad day for Clemson (and Chargers) fans.