Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco lead Clemson's wide receivers into 2025 | Plus: Best Tigers WRs of all time

Written by Staff Report | August 14, 2025 | 9:56 PM

For the longest time, wide receiver play at Clemson seemed like an afterthought, even with talented players like Dwight Clark, Jerry Butler and Perry Tuttle. The program didn’t throw the ball much back in those days, and there really weren’t enough passes to go around for there to be many options.

Yes, a Rod Gardner or a Derrick Hamilton sprinkled in here or there would put up highlight-reel plays. But the excitement has taken off with the offense’s new look under Dabo Swinney, which has showcased wide receivers throughout his tenure.

That transformation started with DeAndre Hopkins, who evolved the position at Clemson, and Sammy Watkins, who lit the program on fire and holds too many records to list. Enter the term “WRU” in Death Valley. And it has carried over to Mike Williams, Tee Higgins, Hunter Renfrow, Artavis Scott and more (and it doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down any time soon).

The 2025 wide receiver room boasts talents including Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco, TJ Moore, Tyler Brown, Tristan Smith (a transfer! gasp!), Cole Turner and more.

Statistics: Who are the best Clemson wide receivers?

Sammy Watkins (2011-13): First-team All-American, first-round draft pick. Season Receptions Leader (101), Career 100-yd Games Leader (15), 3,391 yards (career leader), 27 TD (career co-leader), 240 receptions.
Mike Williams (2013-16): 177 receptions, 2,727 yards, 21 TDs
DeAndre Hopkins (2010-12): First-round draft pick, 3,020 yards, 27 TD (career co-leader), 206 receptions.
Jerry Butler (1975-78): Ring of Honor. First-team All-American, first-round draft pick. 2,115 yards, 11 TD, 131 receptions.
Artavis Scott (2014-16): 245 receptions (career record), 2,458 yards, 19 TDs
Hunter Renfrow (2015-18): 186 receptions, 2,133 yards, 15 TDs
Perry Tuttle (1978-81): First-team All-American, first-round draft pick. 2,329 yards, 16 TD
Rod Gardner (1997-2000): First-team All-American, first-round draft pick. 2,302 yards, 12 TD
Derrick Hamilton (2001-03): 163 receptions, 2,218 yards, 15 TD
Tee Higgins (2017-19): 135 receptions, 2,448 yards, 27 TDs
Dwight Clark (1976-78): 543 yards, 3 TD

Who are your favorites? Tell us in the comments at YouTube.com/ClemsonKickoff so you can share your reactions in the comments, and find us on social media @ClemsonKickoff!

2025 Clemson Football Season Previews with Best-All-Time Tigers by Position

Each podcast episode covers both the season preview and the best all-time Clemson Tigers at each position, while each blogs is shorter and only covers either the best ever or the 2025 preview. Here are all the links you could need!

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Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco lead Clemson's wide receivers into 2025 | Plus: Best Tigers WRs of all time

Statistics: Who are the best Clemson wide receivers?

2025 Clemson Football Season Previews with Best-All-Time Tigers by Position

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