Antonio Williams
Antonio Williams  WR  Clemson | NFL Draft 2026 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Antonio Williams
Height
5-11
Weight
190
College
Clemson
Position
WR
Class
Sophomore
Home town
Irmo, SC
87.5/100
Player Rating
2
PositionRank (WR)
4.45
FortyYD Time
Receptions
75
Rec YDs
904
Rec TDs
11
Rec AVG
12.1

Antonio Williams WR Clemson | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Antonio Williams WR Clemson
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: Slot Receiver
Last Updated: 07/22/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.45 seconds (69%*)
Age: 21.0 DOB: 07/14/2004
Measurables:
Height: 5-11 (23%*) Weight: 190 (22%*)
Forty: 4.45 (O) (69%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
ROLE: Slot Receiver
Last Updated: 07/22/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.45 seconds (69%*)
Age: 21.0 DOB: 07/14/2004
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 5-11 (23%*) Weight: 190 (22%*)
Forty: 4.45 (O) (69%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 87.5 / 100
Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced
Defense Rating:
76%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
QB Rating When targeted: 131.9
Hands:
64%
Short Receiving:
76%
Intermediate Routes:
77%
Deep Threat:
85%
Blocking:
58%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 1st - Mid
Overall Rank: #20 Position rank: #2
College Games: 32 College Snaps: 1495
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 84/100
Grade: 247 Sports 4  Stars 247 Sports 96 Stars 247 RATING: 96/100
Grade: 4 Stars 4 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Malachi Corley - Western Kentucky
92%
Kayshon Boutte - LSU
88%
Reggie Roberson Jr. - SMU
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 his 95th percentile separation rate validates this elite spatial awareness.
  • Crisp, nuanced route runner who creates consistent separation through precise footwork and sudden breaks - shows some veteran craftiness with masterful tempo changes and violent head snaps that keep defensive backs guessing at all three levels.
  • 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, though eight drops create some statistical concerns.
  • Possesses significant juice after the catch with compact running style that helps him slip tackles - more wiggle than straight-line burner, but needs to maximize burst capability more consistently to turn routine catches into explosive chunk gains.
  • 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, drops his weight beautifully at break points with professional-grade precision.
  • 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 with advanced leverage concepts.
  • 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 against different coverage looks.
  • 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 playing larger than his measurements.
  • 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, though his route precision compensates somewhat.
  • 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 at the professional level.
  • 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 in run-heavy packages.
  • Statistical inconsistencies raise evaluation questions - eight drops contradict his natural hands ability while yards after catch production doesn't always match his skill set, creating concerns about maximizing opportunities consistently.
Scouting Report: Summary
Williams brings a rare combination of technical mastery and football intelligence that commands first-round consideration despite obvious physical limitations. His route-running represents the gold standard for this draft class - those masterful tempo changes, violent head snaps, and the way he drops his weight beautifully at break points create separation that translates to a ridiculous 95th percentile separation rate. The eight drops on his stat sheet are genuinely misleading when you watch him pluck balls cleanly away from his frame with natural hands that rarely betray him in crucial moments. His professional-grade route precision at all three levels gives quarterbacks a reliable target who understands leverage better than receivers with twice his experience.

The tape reveals a player built for immediate NFL impact in the right system, particularly as a slot weapon where his limited catch radius becomes less problematic. His tracking ability on off-target throws and concentration between converging defenders - like that courageous grab against Florida State - demonstrate the toughness needed to survive NFL physicality despite his compact frame. Teams running timing-based attacks will salivate over his ability to find soft spots against zone coverage while his punt return skills provide day-one roster value that pushes borderline prospects into round one. However, his burst limitations after the catch and concerns about whether a 190-pound frame can endure 17-game seasons create legitimate evaluation splits among front offices.

Williams profiles as a late first-round selection whose draft position hinges on organizational philosophy rather than talent evaluation. His route-running grade sits at elite levels while his overall skill set projects as an immediate slot contributor with WR2 upside in spread offenses. Some teams will view his technical polish and special teams ability as worthy of premium investment, especially those prioritizing sure-thing production over developmental ceiling. Others will hesitate to use first-round capital on a player whose physical constraints suggest a complementary role rather than alpha potential. The 2023 injury concerns add another layer of risk assessment, but his film shows a prospect whose floor remains remarkably high even if his ceiling feels somewhat capped by measurables.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)

How other scouting services rate Antonio Williams (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
29.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
2.0
*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.