Clemson’s Williams Taken in NFL Draft
By: Will Vandervort April 24, 2026

CLEMSON — Former Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams is now officially an NFL player.

Williams, who came back to Clemson for one more season after his junior season, saw his hard work pay off Friday when the Washington Commanders selected him No. 71 overall in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Williams is the fifth Clemson player selected in this year’s draft, as he joins offensive tackle Blake Miller (No. 17, first round), Peter Woods (No. 29, first round), T.J. Parker (No. 35, second round) and Avieon Terrell (No. 48, second round).

The two-time All-ACC selection recorded 2,336 yards and 21 touchdowns on 208 career receptions in his four-year career at Clemson. He also had 25 rushes for 187 yards and two touchdowns in the 43 games he played in.

Williams was an all-around player at Clemson. He was also credited with 39 career punt returns for 351 yards. He was 4-for-4 passing the football for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

In 2025, Williams became the fifth player in Clemson history to record over 200 career receptions. He completed his career ranked fourth in career receptions (208), trailing only Artavis Scott, Sammy Watkins and Aaron Kelly.

The Columbia, S.C., native also exited Clemson tied with Mike Williams for the fourth-most touchdown receptions in Clemson history (21) and was the 17th player in Clemson history to reach 2,000 career receiving yards.

Williams recorded a catch in each of his first 33 career games at Clemson, the seventh-longest streak in school history.

He had a breakout debut campaign in 2022, earning Freshman All-America honors after leading the Tigers in both receptions and receiving yards in his first semester on campus.

In 2024, Williams joined C.J. Spiller (2008 and 2009), Jacoby Ford (2009) and Sammy Watkins (2012) as the fourth Clemson player since 2000 to record a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in a single season.

Williams recorded career highs with 75 receptions, 904 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns that season and also added seven carries for 101 yards and a touchdown and went 2-for-2 passing for 62 yards with a touchdown pass.

Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams (0) celebrates a reception over South Carolina defensive back Jalon Kilgore during the second quarter on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. (Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider)