Renfrow on his last game at Clemson: I am going to do whatever it takes to get it done

Hunter Renfrow hopes to end his Clemson career on a high note

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Jan 4, 2019, 4:15 PM

CLEMSON – Monday night is not only the National Championship game and the final game of the season for the Clemson football team, but it will also be last time Hunter Renfrow takes the field in a Clemson uniform. His journey, so many years in the making, will hit a transition point.

What does he want out of the evening? To celebrate with his teammates one last time.

Monday night will be the 55th game of Renfrow’s storied Clemson career. He has 184 receptions for 2,123 yards and 16 touchdowns. A former walk-on, Renfrow was recently named the recipient of the Burlsworth Trophy, which is presented annually to the nation’s top college player who began his career as a walk-on.

Renfrow is no stranger to the Crimson Tide - in three previous playoff games, he has 22 catches for 211 yards and four touchdowns, including the game winner in 2016.

His longevity – and time on the national stage – has led to several articles and memes poking a little fun at his perceived time on the national stage, including doctored photos of him in 1981 and 1940 playing for the Tigers.

He doesn’t mind the attention.

“I think a few of the jokes are funny. I have some of my personal favorites,” Renfrow said. “I love the photo of me and Danny Ford, that was a good one. And then some are overplayed. But it's all in good fun.”

When reminded that Monday night would be his last time wearing the uniform in a game situation, Renfrow grew thoughtful and said he was so emotional on Senior Night (against Duke) that it led to a less-than-stellar performance and he knows the Tigers will need the best version of Hunter Renfrow against Alabama.

“I think on Senior Night I went out and I was thinking about it more than I should, and I feel like I didn't start the way I wanted to,” he said. “Against South Carolina the next week I locked in on whatever it takes to finish, and I had a good game I feel like. At least better than Duke. I learned from that and this game I am going to take it and do whatever it takes to get it done. I am going to enjoy the journey and look around but it's definitely a whatever it takes mentality. I am going to go out there and have a great time and enjoy it with my teammates.”

Renfrow wouldn’t mind celebrating one more title, the perfect end to his Clemson career.

“There were a lot of emotions then (winning the first one) and that is something that we remember and we want to get to back to,” he said. “I know a lot of these freshmen want to experience that and a lot of these seniors want that experience for the freshmen. It's really just getting back to that moment. The last two years we've been trying to get back there, and something we've talked about is just enjoying the journey and the moment of it. The day-to-day of trying to get back has been more fun than getting back.”

If he could write the script of the ending, how would it look?

“Hopefully, we win. Obviously, we want to win. When I moved in with Will (Swinney), they have a picture up in the apartment of Perry Tuttle on the Sports Illustrated cover and then me right beside him. They are both signed,” Renfrow said. “I was kind of joking with Will and we are going to have three of them back-to-back and he is going to be holding the game-winning kick and he will have a Sports Illustrated out there, too. But I hope it doesn't get that close. But if you tell me that we can kick it and win it, I will take that right now.”