CHARLOTTE — Antonio Williams will be the first to admit his physical presence alone isn’t likely to scare any opposing defensive backs.

Since the day he stepped foot on campus, Williams has played much bigger than his 5-foot-11 frame might suggest he could. During his debut season, Williams earned freshman All-American honors despite playing in an offense that really struggled to push the ball down the field. He still managed to lead the team with 56 catches for 604 yards, while reeling in four touchdown grabs.

The following season, Williams faced more than his fair share of adversity, as a foot injury limited him to just five games. Even still, he averaged more than four catches per contest.

As a junior, playing in a rejuvenated passing attack, Williams evolved into quarterback Cade Klubnik’s favorite target. He had his best season to date, totaling 75 receptions for 904 yards with 11 touchdowns. He also became just the fourth Clemson player since 2000 to record a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in a single season.

However, none of the successes have surprised Williams. He’s always believed in himself and has never doubted the type of impact he could make at this level. Not once has he seen his size as a disadvantage that he could not overcome.

“Just trusting in my craft and being the best version of myself,” Williams said during the ACC Kickoff. “I’m not like this 6-foot-4 guy. I don’t have an intimidating frame. When I am lined up against anybody, I trust myself to get open.”

As good as Williams has been, he is expecting even bigger things entering his senior season. With as much talent and depth as the Tigers have in the wide receiver room, this offense is capable of being more explosive than it has been in quite some time.

“If there is only one good receiver, then teams can scheme around that, double team a scheme around one guy” Williams said. “But if you have guys everywhere that can make plays, there are a lot more one-on-one matchups, and we like those matchups.”

Williams also enters the coming season having caught at least one pass in every game he’s appeared in. That 33-game streak is 10 shy of the program record held by Hunter Renfrow, another smaller wideout who outplayed his size.

The way Williams has been able to produce with that level of consistency is exactly how Renfrow did it. By being diligent and intent on perfecting his craft. He is determined not to be outworked and to be the best route runner in the game. The argument can be made that’s exactly what he’s become.

“I think I am the best route runner in college football,” Williams added. “I mean, we play receiver to get open, and I think I am the best one in the country at doing that.”