Clemson WR Antonio Williams inks NIL deal with Nike

Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams is joining a talented group of NIL athletes. He signed an NIL deal with Nike, the company announced via Instagram.

Williams is the latest addition to Nike’s NIL roster. The brand has signed stars such as Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams. Repped by MGC Sports, Antonio Williams has a $290,000 On3 NIL Valuation.

SUBSCRIBE to the On3 NIL and Sports Business Newsletter

Williams is coming off a breakout year in 2024 as a top target for Cade Klubnik. He had 75 receptions for 904 yards and an ACC-leading 11 touchdowns – setting new career-highs in all three categories. He was also a factor in the running game, taking seven carries for 101 yards and a touchdown.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nike Football (@usnikefootball)

Williams got hurt in the season opener against LSU and missed the next two games as a result. He then his return against Syracuse, totaling five receptions for 49 yards in that matchup. Clemson was on a bye last week.

Clemson is looking to rebound from a 1-3 start to the year as the Tigers come out of the bye. They have an intriguing game this week, though, as they head to Chapel Hill to take on Bill Belichick and North Carolina as both teams try to right the ship.

Dabo Swinney praises leadership after 1-3 start

Despite the rocky start, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said he’s seeing good signs from his team leadership. He praised “The Council” while speaking with reporters ahead of Week 6.

“I wouldn’t say anyone has surprised me, but I have been very impressed by some of these guys,” Swinney said. “We have what we call ‘The Council’ and man, if y’all could hear these guys articulate. There’s no cameras and they’re not worried about someone putting something on social media and everyone taking click bait and creating whatever that world does. I told the staff, in fact, I held it up because I get ‘The Council’ notes, but I’m like, ‘this is what gives me hope in my future.”

“When you have young people like this who can think like these guys and process like these guys and can articulate like these guys in the midst of a really bad situation in our world, man it makes you have hope for the future. We’ve got some amazing young men that they’re just wired really well and they can think.”