The Clemson football team will be without Hunter Renfrow in 2019 and with that, there’s a huge void in the Tigers’ offense that needs to be filled.
There has been one consistency for Clemson football’s offense in the past three seasons: Hunter Renfrow.
Renfrow, who seemingly has been around forever, is now off to the NFL to great things as a professional wide receiver. His departure, though, leaves a big hole in the Tigers’ offense.
It’s not a talent hole. The Tigers have more 4-stars and 5-stars at wide-out this year than in any year before. It’s more of a production/consistency gap.
Renfrow wasn’t the fastest, strongest or tallest receiver. But, he played with heart and had excellent footwork and hands. Those skills allowed him to break open against opposing defenders and make a ton of clutch catches for the Tigers.
He was the go-to guy in 3rd-and-moderate situations and was a safety blanket that allowed Clemson football quarterbacks to play looser as a result.
Who will replace Renfrow’s production?
You’ve got plenty of talent to fill the void, but there’s got to be some guys that develop their hands so finely tuned that basically anything thrown to them is caught.
Currently, your starters at wide receiver are Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross and Amari Rodgers. Rodgers, who played outside last year on the opposite side of Higgins, has moved inside to the slot position that Renfrow played in years past.
I’d also expect guys like TJ Chase, Cornell Powell, Brannon Spector and possibly even Derion Kendrick to play that position in 2019.
Can Rodgers become that safety blanket for Trevor Lawrence in 2019? It certainly would be a huge asset to the Tigers and will definitely be something to keep your eye on as spring practice continues and these guys develop.