What do Gardner-Webb, Presbyterian, Wofford, and Appalachian State have in common?
They're the only college football programs who offered Hunter Renfrow a scholarship after he graduated from high school in South Carolina.
Who?
Hunter Renfrow, who caught 10 passes, including the game-winner with 2 seconds left, to give Clemson a 35-31 victory over Alabama in the national championship game.
Ten players from that game, and maybe more, could go in the first round of the NFL draft. You know the names. Quarterback Deshaun Watson, defensive end Jonathan Allen, wide receiver Mike Williams, linebacker Reuben Foster, etc. But it was the skinny, little sophomore at wideout who made the decisive plays to deny Alabama another national championship.
Besides his 10 catches, Renfrow used sheer determination to prevent Alabama from scoring a touchdown on defense. It came in the third quarter when Alabama linebacker Ryan Anderson stripped the ball away from Clemson running back Wayne Gallman. Renfrow reacted quickly and made a diving tackle to prevent the score. Alabama had to settle for a field goal when a touchdown would've given the Tide a 21-7 lead.
"That was a big tackle right there," Williams told reporters in the post-game press conference on Monday. "That was one of the best plays of the game."
There are stories of inspiration every day if we look for them. But to watch a former walk-on score the winning touchdown in a title game for a coach who himself was a walk-on as a player is extraordinary.
"It's like I got knocked out in the third quarter and this was all a dream," Renfrow said. "It's been such a journey for me. Just passing up the money to go to App State and playing for a guy like coach (Dabo) Swinney and a quarterback like Deshaun is pretty special."
Renfrow backed away from Appalachian State after Clemson offered him as chance as a "preferred walk-on" with the Tigers. Basically, that means "we like you, but not enough to offer you a scholarship" but Renfrow took it anyway. Renfrow not only made the team, he was awarded a scholarship after he redshirted as a true freshman.
"Hunter's a great example of 'don't judge a book by its cover,'" Swinney said at the time, "because he sure doesn't look like a football player."
That message is vitally important, especially for high school seniors with national signing day less than one month away. Many area players will continue their careers at Division II and Division III schools and junior colleges. That's fine. But I know there's players out there who'd like to walk away from their offers and take a chance on playing for the Razorbacks in the SEC. Or, take the field for Arkansas State this fall when the Red Wolves host the Miami Hurricane in Jonesboro.
Renfrow (5-11, 180) showed fulfilling a dream is possible, no matter how the odds are stacked against you.
"I go against (athletic) freaks every day," Renfrow said. "I'm comfortable against Johnny Five-Star."
Arkansas, of course, was home to Brandon Burlsworth, perhaps the greatest walk-on to play college football. Most everyone knows by now the story of how Burlsworth turned down a scholarship offer from Arkansas Tech and became an All-American at Arkansas his senior year. Tragically, he died in a car accident in 1999 after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL draft. But his life story still serves as an inspiration to anyone who's ever felt rejected or overlooked.
Now we have Renfrow, a quiet and unassuming athlete who will play two more years at Clemson before he, too, could get a chance in the NFL. Anyone want to bet against him?
Anyone?
I didn't think so.
Sports on 01/15/2017