Hunter Renfrow Returns to the NFL: Veteran WR Signs with Carolina Panthers to Reignite Career Close to Home

In a move that brings one of South Carolina’s favorite sons back to familiar territory, former Clemson star and NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has signed with the Carolina Panthers. For the Panthers, it’s a calculated move to bolster a receiving corps in desperate need of experience and dependability. For Renfrow, it’s more than just another chance—it’s a homecoming, a fresh start, and a shot at redemption in a league that never stops moving forward.

The one-year deal reunites Renfrow with the Southeast and places him just a few hours from the Clemson campus where his legend first took shape. It also puts him back under the spotlight at a pivotal time in his career—when both his football legacy and his future in the sport hang in the balance.

Hunter Renfrow’s story is the stuff of college football folklore. He arrived at Clemson as a 5-foot-10, 155-pound walk-on with no major scholarship offers. He left as a national champion and one of the most beloved players in school history. His defining moment came in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship game when he caught the game-winning touchdown from Deshaun Watson with one second left, sealing a 35-31 victory over Alabama.

Renfrow became known for his crisp route running, reliable hands, and unflappable demeanor—traits that translated well into the NFL. His work ethic and football IQ made him a coach’s dream, and it wasn’t long before he proved he belonged at the professional level.

Renfrow was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the 149th overall pick. Few rookies contribute right away, but Renfrow was different. He recorded 49 catches for 605 yards and 4 touchdowns in his first season and quickly earned the trust of quarterback Derek Carr.

But it was the 2021 season where Renfrow truly broke out. Amid chaos surrounding the Raiders organization—resignations, off-field controversies, and a revolving door of receivers—Renfrow emerged as a reliable weapon. He hauled in 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns en route to his first Pro Bowl selection.

He was never the fastest player on the field, nor the biggest, but Renfrow had mastered the nuances of route running, separation, and timing. He was the classic example of a “move-the-chains” receiver who made clutch plays when it mattered most.

However, his meteoric rise hit a wall after 2021. The Raiders’ acquisition of superstar wideout Davante Adams in 2022 shifted the offensive focus. Renfrow also battled a series of injuries that limited his availability and effectiveness. He played in just 10 games in 2022 and recorded only 36 receptions.

By 2023, under new head coach Josh McDaniels, Renfrow had become almost an afterthought. With minimal usage and little trust from the coaching staff, the Raiders officially released him in March 2024 after failing to find a trade partner.

He was without a team for over a year.

While the NFL moved on, Renfrow stayed grounded. Reports emerged that he had returned to South Carolina and took up work with a recycling company while continuing to train privately. For many NFL players, a release at age 28 signals the end. But for Renfrow, it was simply a pause.

In an interview with TalkSport, Renfrow described the experience of being out of football and humbly working a blue-collar job: “I never viewed myself as being above any kind of work. Football was my dream, but I’ve always been a grinder. If I needed to stack boxes or clean out a truck, that’s what I did.”

He also continued to train regularly, staying in shape in case a team came calling. That call came from Carolina.

The Carolina Panthers are a team in transition, coming off a disappointing 2-15 season and entering 2025 with a new offensive vision and growing optimism around second-year quarterback Bryce Young. The Panthers spent much of last season trying to solidify their receiving corps but struggled with consistency and injuries.

Veteran Adam Thielen led the group in 2024, while younger receivers like Jonathan Mingo and DJ Chark failed to make a major impact. In the 2025 NFL Draft, Carolina selected Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona and Xavier Legette from South Carolina—injecting youth and athleticism into the position.

But amid the youth movement, the Panthers still needed a reliable, veteran presence in the slot. That’s where Renfrow fits in.

Renfrow’s role in Carolina won’t necessarily be as a WR1, but it could be just as valuable. Operating out of the slot, he can serve as a security blanket for Bryce Young—particularly on third downs and red-zone situations. His knowledge of spacing, body positioning, and route timing can also serve as a teaching tool for the younger receivers on the roster.

Head coach Dave Canales praised the addition, saying, “Hunter brings exactly what we need—a guy who knows how to get open, catch the football, and make smart decisions. He’s been through a lot, and that experience is going to help this locker room.”

One of the most underrated aspects of this signing is geography. Renfrow grew up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and starred at Clemson. Signing with Carolina means he gets to continue his career with family and lifelong friends just a short drive away. That kind of emotional grounding can do wonders for a veteran player, especially one on a comeback path.

Fans across the Carolinas and Clemson nation have rallied behind the move, flooding social media with messages of support. Renfrow’s comeback is already being seen as one of the feel-good stories of the offseason.

Renfrow’s contract is reportedly a one-year deal with performance incentives. Success, in this case, isn’t necessarily defined by a Pro Bowl season or gaudy stat lines. It’s about staying healthy, making timely plays, and helping Carolina win football games.

If Renfrow can record somewhere between 50-60 receptions, 600-700 yards, and 4-5 touchdowns while mentoring a young group and proving dependable in crunch time, it will be a massive win for both him and the Panthers.

His presence will also allow offensive coordinator Brad Idzik to get creative with formations and mismatches, knowing Renfrow can work underneath routes while others stretch the field vertically.

At 28, Renfrow still has plenty of football left if he stays healthy. This contract with Carolina could be the first step toward a second act in his career. Whether that leads to a multi-year extension, a mentorship role, or even a transition into coaching someday, Renfrow is approaching this opportunity with perspective and gratitude.

“This isn’t just a job for me—it’s what I love,” he said at his Panthers press conference. “To be able to do it close to home, to be part of a team like this, and to get another shot—I’m grateful. But I’m not here just to be a feel-good story. I want to compete and help us win games.”

Hunter Renfrow’s signing with the Carolina Panthers is more than just a roster move—it’s a story of perseverance, opportunity, and homecoming. It’s about a player who once captured the heart of college football fans now looking to reignite his professional career, not with flash, but with grit and reliability.

In a league driven by youth, speed, and splashy highlights, there’s still a place for someone who simply gets open and catches the ball. Renfrow may never be the most physically imposing player on the field, but his impact is undeniable. As the 2025 NFL season approaches, don’t be surprised if the veteran receiver once again finds a way to matter—this time, in Carolina blue.