NIL in today’s college football landscape allows players to bulk up on finances as much as they want. Snazzy brand deals and gaudy endorsements all make for a wonderful portfolio and also paint players as celebrities. Yet, some players use the money for the greater good. It’s not a common occurrence, but it’s great to see the players that do. Elite Clemson WR Antonio Williams is setting an example on this less-taken road for other CFB players.

The Tigers’ WR is set to return for his final stint with the program in 2025. He will be one of the primary targets for Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, who will also play his last season this year. He does not have many entities backing him at the moment. Clemson’s NIL collective and YMCA are his only supporters at the moment. And yet, he was able to take a sizeable chunk out of his pay to give back to his community.

Williams donated $10000 to his alma mater, Dutch Fork, in Irmo, South Carolina. The school shared a picture of him handing over a cheque to his former coach, Tom Knotts, at a youth football camp. While Williams’ exact earnings at Clemson remain undisclosed, this gesture shows that he cares for his home community and feels the need to help them out.

It was at Dutch Fork and under Knotts that Clemson produced 137 catches, 2,458 yards, and 23 TDs in his prep career. He was recruited by Clemson when he was the 9-best WR in the 2022 class. At one time, Ohio State made him an offer of $9.5 million to join the Buckeyes. Surely he does not earn the same at Clemson, but he is giving whatever he can from his pay. That’s a true leader at work, both on and off the field. Antonio is going to make waves this season after putting forth a breakout performance in 2024.

Antonio Williams is rated as one of the top WRs ahead of the 2025 season

Heading into 2025, FanSided regards Williams as the 4th best WR entering the 2025 season. He is placed after ASU‘s Jordyn Tyson and Alabama‘s Ryan Williams. Nothing can be done about the No. 1 position as long as Jeremiah Smith is in college football. For Williams, No. 4 is a respectable place to be in. His 2023 season was marred by injury, and he could play only 5 games. However, he came back strong in 2024, and tallied 904 yards, 75 catches, and 11 TDs. He will lead the room, which has the budding talents of Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore.

“It’s been cool to develop as a leader, try to get the guys to buy in every day, and set that standard in the [WR] room,” he told Clemson Sports Media. Athlon Sports ranked the Tigers’ receiving corps as the 2nd best in CFB. It’s worthy of matching up to the potential that will be unleashed by Cade Klubnik in the season. It’s a dangerous group, with the Anderson-Moore-Wesco trio producing a total of more than 2,200 yards and 23 TDS.

Antonio Williams came back to Clemson on the coaches’ insistence that he build a legacy. So far, he has not only done that with his game, but he is also doing it off the field. Williams is looking out for the talent back home and is helping out the way he can to nurture these fresh players.

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