Clemson Legend Hunter Renfrow Joins Carolina Panthers, Builds Promising Early Connection With Rookie Receiver From Rival South Carolina

Hunter Renfrow is back in the Carolinas—and he’s not wasting any time making his presence felt. The former Clemson Tigers star wide receiver has signed with the Carolina Panthers, bringing his precision route running, sure hands, and quiet leadership style to a young, developing wide receiver room. But perhaps what’s turning the most heads early on in this new chapter of his career isn’t just Renfrow’s return to his college home state—it’s the unexpected and fast-developing bond he’s forming with a rookie wideout from a place many Tigers fans might consider enemy territory: the University of South Carolina.

Renfrow, 28, comes to the Panthers after five productive seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. A fifth-round pick in 2019, he quickly carved out a niche in the NFL as a dependable slot receiver with an uncanny ability to create separation and extend drives. In 2021, he posted his best season, catching 103 passes for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. Injuries and coaching changes in Las Vegas slowed his production the past two seasons, but Renfrow arrives in Charlotte with a chip on his shoulder, determined to prove he’s still capable of high-level contributions in the NFL.

The Panthers, coming off a tumultuous 2024 campaign that saw more questions than answers on the offensive side of the ball, need that kind of reliable presence. With a new offensive coordinator in place and second-year quarterback Bryce Young seeking to bounce back from a rocky rookie year, the franchise is betting that veterans like Renfrow can provide both production and mentorship in a transitional phase.

But what has surprised observers most is the chemistry already building between Renfrow and rookie wide receiver Trevin Wallace, a fourth-round selection out of South Carolina in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Wallace, a standout Gamecock receiver known for his burst and downfield ability, arrived in Charlotte with plenty to prove himself. The SEC product may have been a mid-round pick, but his combination of size, speed, and toughness had many draft analysts predicting he could be a steal. Still, his route-running refinement and ability to adjust to NFL defenses were viewed as developmental questions.

Enter Renfrow.

According to Panthers wide receivers coach Kevin Gilbride Jr., the veteran wasted no time taking Wallace under his wing.

“You see a guy like Hunter, and he just understands the game at a level few do,” Gilbride said after a recent OTA session. “What’s been fun to watch is how he’s already working side by side with Trevin—not just in the meeting room, but on the field, after practice, walking through stuff. He doesn’t big-time the rookies. He helps them. And you can tell Trevin is soaking it all in.”

For Renfrow, mentorship isn’t something that’s new. At Clemson, he was known for being the glue in the wide receiver room, earning the respect of younger teammates and setting the tone for preparation and consistency. Now, he sees a chance to pay it forward again—this time at the professional level.

“I remember when I was coming up, there were guys who helped me understand how to be a pro,” Renfrow said. “I know what it’s like to have talent but need guidance. Trevin’s got a lot of ability. He asks good questions. He wants to learn. That’s what you look for.”

Panthers head coach Dave Canales praised Renfrow’s impact on the team’s culture already, calling him “a true professional” and “an asset to a young locker room.”

“Hunter brings the kind of mentality we want—detail-oriented, tough, and focused on the team,” Canales said. “His leadership by example is a big reason why we wanted him here.”

Renfrow’s bond with Wallace is also symbolic of how the dynamics of football change once players reach the league. In college, Renfrow and Wallace would’ve been on opposite sidelines, representing bitter rivals in one of the most passionate state rivalries in college football. Clemson and South Carolina fans have been trading jabs for decades, and the animosity between the programs rarely stays confined to the field.

But in the NFL, rivalries fade fast. The only colors that matter are the ones on your current jersey.

“There’s definitely a history between the schools,” Renfrow admitted with a grin. “But once you get here, it’s about the team you’re on now. We’re Panthers. That’s it.”

Wallace echoed the sentiment, adding that Renfrow’s background at Clemson didn’t intimidate or annoy him—it inspired him.

“Man, that dude is a legend at Clemson,” Wallace said. “But you watch how he carries himself—he’s not walking around like he’s better than anybody. He works. He teaches. I’m learning a ton from him.”

The Panthers coaching staff is cautiously optimistic that the Renfrow-Wallace duo can provide stability and firepower to a group that struggled mightily in 2024. Bryce Young was sacked a league-high 65 times, and his receiver corps rarely found separation. Adding Renfrow’s quickness out of the slot and Wallace’s emerging vertical ability gives Young more options and should open up the passing game.

“Bryce needs guys he can trust and guys who can help him grow,” Gilbride said. “Hunter is already becoming that guy. And Trevin’s got a chance to be something special. They’re helping each other more than people might realize.”

Renfrow’s return to Carolina also offers a full-circle narrative that many fans have embraced. A walk-on at Clemson who became a national champion and a beloved figure in the Tigers’ historic 2016 and 2018 playoff runs, Renfrow’s journey has long resonated with football fans across the South.

Now, with the Panthers entering what feels like a pivotal season for their franchise rebuild, he’s once again in a familiar position—flying under the radar, working hard, and quietly helping lead a team toward its goals.

For the soft-spoken receiver, that’s exactly where he wants to be.

“I’ve never really been about the spotlight,” Renfrow said. “I just love football. I love the process. I love being part of a team. And being back here—close to where I played college ball, close to where my family can come watch—it means a lot.”

His focus remains firmly on football. But it hasn’t escaped him how rare it is to find immediate chemistry with a teammate—especially one coming from the rival program he once competed fiercely against.

“That’s the beauty of this game,” Renfrow said. “It brings people together. Doesn’t matter where you played, or where you came from. What matters is what you do next, together.”

For Wallace, that “next” involves turning potential into performance—and he’s counting on Renfrow to help show him the way.

“He’s teaching me the little stuff,” Wallace said. “How to set up defenders, how to read leverage, how to stay consistent in your approach. Those are things you don’t always learn in college. But you better learn fast here.”

With offseason workouts underway and training camp on the horizon, the Panthers believe they’ve found more than just another pass catcher in Renfrow—they’ve found a tone-setter. And in Wallace, they may have found a rising talent who’s being fast-tracked thanks to the knowledge being passed down by a veteran teammate who once wore a different shade of orange.

Two receivers from rival programs. One team. And a bond that might just help both of them—along with the Panthers—take a big step forward in 2025.