Gamecock in-state target Antonio Williams might be getting closer to making decision
With two official visits down and another on the horizon, Antonio Williams’ recruitment is close to coming to an end.
The Dutch Fork four-star receiver took his official visit to Ole Miss for the Texas A&M game over the weekend and plans to visit Auburn for next week’s Iron Bowl with Alabama. Williams’ first official visit was to his home state South Carolina at the end of September.
“After I take my visit to Auburn, I think I will be making a decision soon after that,” Williams told The State after practice on Wednesday. “I don’t have a set date but after my officials, a decision will be made soon after that.”
The early signing period for football begins on Dec. 15 and ends on Dec. 17. Williams said previously he won’t be enrolling early because of Dutch Fork’s class schedule and he plans to play basketball.
Dutch Fork still is in the playoffs and is three wins away from its sixth consecutive Class 5A championship. The 5A championship game is set for 5 p.m. on Dec. 4. Williams is scheduled to play in the Touchstone Energy Bowl in Myrtle Beach on Dec. 11. Practice for the game starts on Dec. 6.
Williams also will play in the Under Armour All-Star game in Orlando on Jan. 2.
Williams is having his best season with a team-high 59 catches for 1,229 yards. He has more than 2,000 all-purpose yards and 16 total touchdowns.
After Dutch Fork defeated Cane Bay in the second round of the playoffs on Friday, Williams said he, his mom and his family got up early Saturday, drove to Atlanta then flew to Ole Miss.
Williams attended the game against Texas A&M and spent time with the Ole Miss coaching staff including coach Lane Kiffin. Williams’ mom, Courtney, and stepdad, Murphy Holloway, both attended Ole Miss and Murphy was a standout for the Rebels basketball team.
“It was a great visit and to get down there for a visit. “College Gameday” was there and to be in the middle of all that, the atmosphere and great fans. It was a great place to be, and I had fun while I was down there with me and my family.”
Williams said he hears almost daily from the USC coaching staff. Gamecocks receivers coach Justin Stepp has been relentless in his pursuit of the Dutch Fork receiver. Auburn offensive coordinator Mike Bobo attended Dutch Fork’s game against Lexington last month.
Both USC and Auburn are thin at receiver positions.
“I hear from USC every day and just continuing to get to know each other better, not just as a player and coach but as a person,” Williams said. “Auburn has a big need for receivers and they tell me how much they need me.”
Clemson remains in the mix, but the Tigers haven’t offered yet. Clemson receivers coach Tyler Grisham was at a recent game and the Tigers want him up for a visit this weekend but he hasn’t decided.
Williams grew up in the Upstate before the family moved to the Columbia area. Clemson is the mix for receiver Andre Greene Jr., who is announcing his college choice on Wednesday evening.
“Clemson is a great school. I don’t know if I will get an offer or whatever,” Williams said. “It is a home state school, and they have been great over the past few years. So it would mean a lot.”
This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 5:43 PM with the headline "Gamecock in-state target Antonio Williams might be getting closer to making decision."
