CLEMSON — After facing an early-season injury, a key player has made their return for Clemson.

Antonio Williams has made a splash on the offensive front for the Tigers since his return. In the opening game against LSU, Williams was injured on the fifth play of the game with a hamstring injury, which sidelined him for two games. Since his return against Syracuse, the offense has improved.

Fellow receiver Bryant Wesco, Jr., spoke to the media earlier this week about Williams’ impact on Clemson, and what his return from injury has done for the team.

“He’s a great player for us and for a lot of people,” Wesco said. “He draws a lot of attention no matter where he goes.”

As one of the top and trusted targets for quarterback Cade Klubnik, Williams draws defenders all across the field towards his direction, allowing for receivers like Wesco, T.J. Moore, and Tristan Smith to get open. Since his return, Williams has garnered 171 yards off of 17 total receptions.

“I think, on one play, we had five guys running with him, and he didn’t even have the ball,” Wesco said. “So, he can really help our offense explode, even when he doesn’t have the ball.”

In the Tigers’ win at North Carolina on Oct. 4, Williams was used even more creatively. On the first play of the game, Klubnik threw a backwards pass to Williams, who then threw the football to a wide-open Moore for a 75-yard touchdown. He also caught five passes for 75 yards in Clemson’s 38-10 victory.

“He’s a great thrower,” Wesco said. “He’s got a great arm, and everyone knows that when Antonio gets the ball, everyone’s going to run to him. So, we got to use that to the best of our ability.”

Williams will look to continue to make explosive impacts for the Tigers when they face the SMU Mustangs on Saturday (3:30 pm, ACCN) at Memorial Stadium.