Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, Clemson's 'Clark Kent,' snags national honor

Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who went from walk-on to National Championship Game hero, was named winner of the ninth annual Burlsworth Trophy on Monday afternoon in Springdale, Arkansas.

The Burlsworth Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding college football player who began his career as a walk-on.

"I always tell everyone he's Clark Kent," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. "He looks like the most normal human on the planet, then he puts that helmet on and becomes Superman."

Renfrow was among 70 players nominated for the 2018 award and one of three finalists. The other finalists were California running back Patrick Laird and Wyoming free safety Marcus Epps.

Clemson co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Jeff Scott accompanied Renfrow to the awards ceremony, which was held at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. The trophy is given by the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation in conjunction with the Springdale Rotary Club each December.

Renfrow ranks third on the team this season with 43 receptions for 472 yards and a touchdown, but has shined throughout his career since earning a scholarship in August of 2015.

He also has played in games at Clemson as a punter, a defensive back and quarterback.

“He can do it all,” running back and teammate Adam Choice said. “There’s nothing he can’t do. He’s a complete player.”

Renfrow, who starred as a quarterback at Socastee High School near Myrtle Beach, has been particularly effective in postseason games for the Tigers and is best known for snagging the game-winning touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson that lifted Clemson to the 2016 national championship.

In five College Football Playoff games, Renfrow has 31 receptions for 320 yards and five touchdowns.

He’ll enter Clemson’s Cotton Bowl game against Notre Dame on Dec. 29 as the Tigers’ career record holder in starts by a wide receiver with 44 and consecutive games with a reception with 40.

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Renfrow’s 180 career receptions rank fifth in program history and his 2,061 receiving yards rank 11th all-time at Clemson.

The Burlsworth Trophy is an homage to Brandon Burlsworth, who walked on at the University of Arkansas without a single Division I scholarship offer. He eventually became a three-year starter and was named an All-American in 1998. Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts as the 63rd overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, he was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later.