CHARLOTTE — A lot of factors went into Antonio Williams’ decision to come back to Clemson for his senior season.

One of those was a desire to win a national title. With the Tigers making it back to the College Football Playoff last season after a three-year absence, Williams believes the team was close, and the senior wideout also believes the team is capable of that kind of run in 2025.

“Finding that next gear, that next level,” Williams said at the ACC Kickoff. “Because we were close to where we want to be. Just a couple of little things we needed to fix to take that next step to win the whole thing, which is our ultimate goal.”

With Williams leading the way, the Clemson wide receiver room is littered with talent this season. With former five-stars Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore both now having a season under their belts, Tyler Brown back healthy, and Tristan Smith added through the portal, the group is also as deep as it’s been in quite some time.

“I always had confidence in myself, but now it is not just me,” Williams said. “We are real deep. We have a lot of guys that can play. A lot of guys that can make explosive plays. Now it is not just us knowing it, everybody knows that we have a good group, but we have to take it to game day and execute.”

Williams recorded career highs with 75 receptions, 904 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns last season. Being a senior, he is now the elder statesman in the room and the unquestioned leader of the wide receiver group.

“It is great. That is what I have hoped for,” Williams said. “It is an honor to be in that leader role. And we are getting back to the great standard of Clemson receiver rooms and that was part of the reason I wanted to come back. To finish it off with a great year and leave it better than when I got here.”