Clemson scored a major recruiting victory Thursday night when Dutch Fork WR Antonio Williams (6-0 180) announced on Twitter a commitment to the Tigers, giving Tigers’ fans some good news in a week that has seen AD Dan Radakovich and defensive coordinator Brent Venables leave the Upstate for other opportunities.
Clemson wasn’t one of the final six schools Williams listed in September, but Dabo Swinney and his staff made a strong push for him after finally offering on November 20th. The offer came after the Tigers missed on their top receiver target Andre Greene Jr. who committed to North Carolina. Williams chose the Tigers over USC, Auburn, Georgia and Ole Miss.
Williams visited all of his favorites during the summer, then he took official visits to USC, Ole Miss and Auburn and an unofficial visit to Clemson during the season. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive assistants CJ Spiller and Tyler Grisham made their in-home visit last week, and Grisham and quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter made a school visit on Monday of this week.
USC head coach Shane Beamer was scheduled to make his in-home visit Saturday, thus he never got in the home before Williams made his decision.
Unlike Clemson’s approach to Williams, USC made him their top recruiting priority at wide receiver with Beamer and receivers coach Justin Stepp working overtime with him. Stepp made himself as visible to Williams as he could at the championship game in an effort to show him their intense interest in him.
Williams put on a show in the 5A State Championship Game Saturday night catching 12 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Gaffney. He finished the season with 2596 total yards, 1625 yards through the air on 85 catches, and 20 total touchdowns. He gives the Tigers a dozen commitments and is the second receiver commitment joining Adam Randall of Myrtle Beach.
Too bad….the Climpson red necks are declining and the Gamecocks are rising. He could have been a home town hero.