Clemson Transfer E.J. Williams Jr. Looking to Revitalize Career at Indiana
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – E.J. Williams appeared to be next up in a long line of great Clemson wide receivers like Sammy Watkins, DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Williams, Tee Higgins and others.
Williams and his 6-foot-3 frame arrived at Clemson before the 2020 season as a four-star recruit, ranked No. 69 in the nation by 247 Sports and No. 13 among wide receivers – one spot ahead of 2023 first-round NFL Draft pick Quentin Johnston. He turned down offers from Alabama, Georgia and practically every nationally-competitive college football program to play for coach Dabo Swinney.
And as soon as he stepped foot on campus, Williams made an impact. He hauled in 24 receptions for 306 yards across 10 games in 2020, including a one-handed snag against Notre Dame in the ACC Championship that went down as one of the top catches of the season. As a true freshman, he ranked third in yards and receptions among wide receivers on a 2020 Clemson team that won the ACC and reached the College Football Playoff.
His most productive games also came against some of Clemson's top opponents. Williams caught touchdown passes against Pittsburgh and Notre Dame, and he posted his most single-game receiving yards, 80, against the Fighting Irish. Five receptions against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff went down as the most single-game receptions in his Clemson career.
But after proving his vast potential as a freshman, the following two years at Clemson went in the opposite direction. Across 20 games in 2021 and 2022, Williams totaled just 16 catches for 136 yards, less than half of his freshman year yardage. He struggled with drops and missed games due to thumb and knee injuries, leading to a diminished role.
When he returned from injury, Williams said he was downgraded to the second-team offense, something he'd never experienced before. That era of his career admittedly tested his mental strength.
"Probably not having as much trust," Williams said Monday, when asked why he thought his production dipped as a sophomore and junior. "The coaches didn't trust me as much. I mean, I'd say part of it was my fault, but I'd say it was kind of hand-in-hand, both ways. It was no trust. But I'd say they also wanted another person to start, but I ain't really tripping on it too much. It is what it is."
Following the 2022 campaign, Williams thought it was time for a change of scenery. While in the transfer portal, he felt a strong connection with Indiana coach Tom Allen, similar to what he experienced as a high school recruit when he picked Clemson.
"[Allen's] mindset is kind of like [Dabo] Swinney when it comes to putting life before football," Williams said. "So that's one thing that really makes me gravitate toward a lot of coaches. He was just concerned about me coming [to Indiana] and being able to have a fresh start, be fresh, be loose and play free. He wanted to make sure my mind was in a good space before I did anything or talked about anything toward football. He's a real holy man, puts God first, so that's one of the main things that attracted me here."
And when it was time to talk football, Williams saw an opportunity at Indiana to be one of the team's top receiving targets. He's still confident in the ability he showed as a freshman at Clemson, and he feels Indiana was the right place to prove he be a real threat on the outside again.
"I played a good bit at Clemson, but I just didn't feel like I was getting enough targets, enough opportunities," Williams said. "So I just felt like Indiana was the best school for me, best fit culture-wise and gives me the best opportunity to be the best on the field."
Since joining the Hoosiers, Williams has been one of the more impressive pass catchers throughout spring practice and fall camp. He's worked tirelessly to build chemistry with Indiana quarterbacks Dexter Williams II, Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby, hoping to revitalize his once-promising career. He's felt that same sense of motivation throughout a roster that's hoping to rebound from a 4-8 season.
"It's not even just me and them, it's everybody," Williams said. "That's what I really like about it here, too. It's not just one receiver going out there, a couple receivers going out there getting balls, everybody wants to come out there and get extra work, so it's always good to see that."
After dealing with injuries at Clemson, Williams said he is now 100 percent and hasn't dealt with any injuries since becoming a Hoosier. He's excited about a receiving corp that boasts length and athleticism with him, 6-foot-5 Donaven McCulley and 6-foot-2 Cam Camper on the outside.
Williams said he wants to showcase various aspects of his game this season, whether it's making tough catches, running after the catch or blocking downfield. Indiana's new wide receivers coach Anthony Tucker said he's excited about Williams' growth since January, and believes he has a high ceiling.
"Early in his career, he played a little bit more and so in order to be good at football, you've got to play football," Tucker said. "He's got a ton of reps since he's been here. He's been in our offseason program. He's been through spring, and so I think he's in really prime position in his development."
Indiana's E.J. Williams (7) runs after the catch during Indiana football's Spring Football Saturday event at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, April 15, 2203.
Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
Williams has two years of remaining eligibility with the Hoosiers, and he's aiming to make the most of his opportunity. His career trajectory has swung in different directions over the past few years, but now it's all about showing he can return to the productive player he was as a freshman at Clemson.
For Williams, that starts with confidence and believing in himself again.
"That's the main thing that's going to get players and me, myself, able to play free and make big plays down the field," Williams said. "Just being able to know what you're doing and play free and not have to think as much."
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- WIDE RECEIVER PREVIEW: Indiana returns some of its top wide receivers from the 2022 season, including Cam Camper, while also adding a pair of immediate-impact transfers, E.J. Williams from Clemson and DeQuece Carter from Fordham. On Monday, we talked with new wide receivers coach Anthony Tucker, along with Williams, Carter, Cam Camper and Kamryn Perry following fall camp. CLICK HERE
- WR DEQUECE CARTER MAKES JUMP TO B1G: The transfer wide receiver from Fordham is eager to show his skill in the Big Ten after stepping up from the FCS level, no matter what role Indiana's coaches ask him to play. CLICK HERE
