CHARGERS GRAB CLEMSON WIDE RECEIVER …
Clemson University wide receiver Mike Williams was chosen by the Los Angeles Chargers with the No. 7 pick of the 2017 NFL draft. He’s the first draft pick for the franchise since it returned to the City of Angels following a 56-year stint in San Diego.
A 6-foot-4, 225-pound native of Vance, South Carolina, Williams was the second wide receiver chosen overall – and was taken five spots ahead of Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was drafted by the Houston Texans.
Many thought the Chargers would opt for help on defense, but Williams was simply too potent an offensive weapon for them to take a pass on – a decision that no doubt thrilled veteran quarterback Philip Rivers.
Williams caught 98 passes for 1,361 yards and 11 touchdowns during his junior season with the Tigers – helping lead them to the school’s first national championship since 1981.
“I love the pick,” Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn told reporters. “We put in a lot of work, we like him, he was No. 1 on our board.”
The Chargers announced their move to Los Angeles back in January. The team will eventually play its home games in Inglewood at the Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park – a $2.66 billion stadium complex they will share with the Los Angeles Rams. Until then they will play at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
Wherever he plays look for Williams to contribute immediately to the Chargers’ offense.
Clemson has had a player selected in the first round of the NFL draft in each of the last five years. In fact they’ve had multiple first round pics twice now – in 2015 (Vic Beasley and Stephone Anthony) and again this year with Watson and Williams.
Banner via Travis Bell Photography