Skip to main content
Advertising

5 things to know about new Panthers receiver Hunter Renfrow

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) leaps over Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) leaps over Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

CHARLOTTE — A Carolinas legend is returning home to suit up for the Panthers.

Former Clemson standout and Las Vegas Raiders receiver Hunter Renfrow signed with Panthers Monday as a free agent. The receiver spent four seasons (plus a redshirt year) playing for the Tigers before being drafted by the Raiders—still the Oakland Raiders at the time—in the fifth round (No. 149th overall) in the 2019 NFL draft.

Now Renfrow is joining the Panthers, so get to know the newest receiver with these fast five facts.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pro Bowl receiver

Renfrow's third season was his career best. He pulled in 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns, all career highs. It earned the receiver a Pro Bowl invite to represent the AFC.

In 2022, a concussion kept him sidelined for a month, lowering his totals for the year, and he appeared in all 17 games in 2023 but was used sparingly as the Raiders used Davante Adams more. In total, Renfrow finished his Raiders career with 269 receptions for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also added eight receptions for 58 yards in a playoff game.

Former walk-on to standout

Despite receiving football and baseball offers from several FCS schools, including Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb, and Wofford, Renfrow wanted to continue his family legacy at Clemson. He walked on to the Tigers, playing for Dabo Swinney, and redshirted his freshman season. This gave him time to put on some weight, and by his redshirt freshman season, Renfrow had been awarded a scholarship.

In 2018, he won the Burlsworth Trophy, which is given to the best college football player who began his career as a walk-on.

Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) tries to tackle Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) after the Sugar Bowl semi-final playoff game for the NCAA college football national championship, in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. Alabama won 24-6 to advance to the national championship game. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

An iconic Clemson play

Renfrow will forever be lauded in South Carolina and by Clemson fans for his part in securing a national championship. The Tigers were facing the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship following the 2016 season. With one second remaining in the game, Renfrow pulled in a two-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 35-31 win.

During the third quarter, Renfrow pulled in his first touchdown of the game and made a crucial first down on the final drive. It made two years in a row Renfrow caught two touchdowns against Alabama in the National Championship.

Spent his year out of football working

After being released by the Raiders in March of 2024, Renfrow stayed busy. He joined ESS Industrial in the recycling industry, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce. The company is located in Woodruff, South Carolina, and specializes in large-scale recycling. He began to work out with teams this past spring in an effort to land with a team again for this season.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) catches a pass ahead of Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

A Carolinas native

Renfrow is a Carolinas boy through and through. He is a native of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he attended Socastee High School. While there, he played football for his dad, Tim. His dad played football and baseball at Wofford. Renfrow was also a star baseball player, even ranked as the No. 6 outfielder in the state of South Carolina in high school.

Speaking of baseball, he shares a strikingly similar name to MLB's Hunter Renfroe, who currently plays for the Kansas City Royals. Fans often tag the wrong Hunter on social media, and the two finally met in 2020 to create their own version of the Spiderman meme.

See the former Las Vegas Raider in action.

Related Content

Advertising