Former Clemson Star Adds To Highlight Reel
By: Robert MacRae January 6, 2025

Mike Williams made only one catch on Saturday night, but it was a sensational one.

The former Clemson star wideout pulled off a beautiful top-tap reception for a big gain in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson hooked up with Williams at the end of the first quarter for his spectacular 25-yard grab along the sideline, which sparked Pittsburgh’s first touchdown drive of the game.

Williams provided a big-time play on a night when there weren’t many positives offensively for the Steelers, who managed just 193 yards of offense in their 19-17 home loss to the Bengals.

It was the latest highlight for Williams in his NFL career that has been full of them. One of the NFL’s most dynamic receivers, Williams has made a habit of hauling in incredible catches and been a big-play threat since entering the league as a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017.

Williams has recorded nine receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown in nine games with the Steelers since they acquired him from the New York Jets before the November NFL trade deadline. In his Pittsburgh debut, he scored his first Steelers touchdown on an amazing over-the-shoulder catch that was the game-winning score against the Washington Commanders back on Nov. 10.

Before being shipped to Pittsburgh, Williams was in his first season with the Jets. He signed a one-year deal with the Jets last March after being released by the  Chargers.

Prior to this season, Williams, 30, spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career with the Chargers, who made him the seventh overall selection in the 2017 draft.

After finishing his Clemson career as one of the most decorated wide receivers in school history — he left Clemson ranked third in school history in receiving touchdowns (21), fourth in receiving yards (2,727) and fifth in receptions (177) – Williams has dealt with injuries during his time in the league but been highly productive when healthy while piling up 330 catches for 5,104 yards and 32 touchdowns across 106 career games to date.

–Photo courtesy Barry Reeger-Imagn Images