Hunter Renfrow was the star of the College Football Playoff National Championship. There was Deshaun Watson having potentially the best game of his career. The Tigers defense put up a solid performance as Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts looked rattled for much of the game. While all those players contributed, it was Renfrow who sealed the deal. Without Renfrow’s game-winning touchdown catch there would be no Clemson championship. Renfrow’s touchdown with one second left gave the Tigers the upset victory over the reigning national champions.
Renfrow is a former walk-on who received a scholarship last season. The two-star recruit only had a handful of offers from schools like Furman and Appalachian State.
He opted to attend Clemson and initially made the team as a walk-on.
Renfrow had 10 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns against Alabama in the title game. He had a meager 34 receptions for 403 yards and 4 touchdowns this season but came up with a huge night when it counted most.
It marked a career high in every possible category. He set career highs for most receptions and receiving yards in one game. He tied his career high in touchdowns with two. Last time he scored two touchdowns? It was against Alabama in the 2016 championship.
Renfrow seems to have the Crimson Tide’s number. He had 7 receptions for 88 yards along with those two touchdowns just a season ago in the title game.
Athleticism runs in the family as Renfrow’s father, Tim Renfrow, was a two-sport star at Wofford. Tim Renfrow played baseball and football setting records in both sports.
Dabo Swinney spoke to the News Observer about his underrated receiver.
“When you meet Hunter, never in a million years would you pick him out. He’s still weak comparatively, but he’s Hercules compared to when he got here. That strength has added confidence. He’s a very smart and savvy and influential player,” Swinney told the News Observer.
Here’s some of Renfrow’s best plays of his career:
Here was Twitter’s reaction to Clemson’s new hero:
Hunter Renfrow: Baby-faced assassin
Top-graded Clemson players on O
WR Mike Williams 83.1
WR Deon Cain 81.4
QB Deshaun Watson 76.2
WR Hunter Renfrow 74.7
#NationalChampionship
Sign me up for Bama-Clemson III in 2018. What a game. Clemson wins 35-31. Hunter Renfrow is a cult hero and future Patriot slot receiver.
