CLEMSON – When the starters are announced before every home game in Memorial Stadium, certain names prompt mini-eruptions from fans entering Death Valley’s hallowed walls– whispers of “good luck” to fan favorites that have earned the well-wishes by years of success.

Before nearly every home game in the past four seasons, wide receiver Antonio Williams has been one of those names. When his face and name flash on the east end zone jumbotron, fans pause mid-pretzel bite, lower their phones, and join to cheer on the seasoned veteran.

Williams got that ovation one last time Saturday ahead of Clemson’s 45-10 win over Furman, along with a chance to run down the hill one last time.

“It was just kind of surreal, man,” Williams said after the game. And I remember the first time I was just happy. But now, as I’ve done it so many more times, I just walk down, don’t want to get anything hurt or anything. But my coach kept telling me that I was going to be emotional and cry. But it didn’t really set in until I got to the sideline and just looked around. But definitely a memorable experience.”

Like all players who get an extra cheer when their name is announced, Williams has earned the right to be a fan favorite. With two touchdown catches against the Paladins, the senior tied Mike Williams for the fourth-most touchdown receptions (21) by a Clemson player. This season alone, he has amassed 538 receiving yards on 48 receptions, paired with 69 rushing yards on 12 carries. 

Now, after four years of success in a Tigers uniform, head coach Dabo Swinney believes his skillset will translate seamlessly to the professional level.

“He’s ready,” Swinney said after the Furman win. “Somebody’s gonna get a great one. He’s as good as we’ve ever had… He’s different than  a lot of these great (wide receivers) we’ve had, but he’s as good as any of them. He’s a special player. He is a complete player and going to be a great pro. I’m really proud of him.”

Before Williams was the reliable senior leader who fans loved and Swinney gushed over however, there was a period of tough love between the Tigers’ wideout and head coach.

“I’ve really enjoyed coaching him, challenging him, teaching him, encouraging him,” Swinney said. “He’ll probably tell you I was really really hard on him early in his career, really hard, but I also knew what he could be and that’s my job is to push him to become the best version of him. That’s what I’m supposed to do, but he has to decide if he’s going to accept the challenge and buy in. And boy did he. He’s become an amazing leader.”

After Clemson’s Oct. 4 win over North Carolina, Williams agreed.

“Going into my sophomore year, (Swinney) was really hard on me,” Williams said. “Expecting more leadership and things of that nature. So, I think I have come a long way in just finally listening to what he has to say and applying it.”

The application has paid off. After missing the first three games of the season due to injury, Williams has now notched five touchdowns across eight games, putting him just one-shy of all-purpose touchdowns by receivers this year after Bryant Wesco’s six. 

After the game, the veteran announced that he would not be using his final year of eligibility, deciding to focus solely on preparing for the NFL Draft. With the announcement, it became official, Williams will no longer run down the hill, score touchdowns in Memorial Stadium, or hear applause as his name is called out with the starters.

Still, Williams’ career is far from over as a Tiger. Next week, he will play in his fourth career installment of the Clemson-Carolina rivalry matchup at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

“The fire’s already inside all of us,” he said. “Me personally, I haven’t had a chance to get a win against them while being healthy. So, definitely one I want to close out this season with.”

Although Williams probably will not get any applause in his final regular-season game next weekend, he has a chance to etch a new milestone– a rivalry win– into his legacy as a Tiger.