Football is a game often won by strength. But, sometimes, one can get away without it. Take for example new Oakland Raiders slot receiver Hunter Renfrow. Though never the biggest or strongest guy, the rookie was able to produce mightily at Clemson for four straight seasons. He tallied at least 33 receptions and 492 yards every season at Clemson, despite not being particularly strong.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talked to Josh Schrock on NBC Sports to discuss his newest crop of NFL talent. When talking about Renfrow, Swinney mentioned that he entered  the program as a freshman weaker than his teammates.

“The thing with Hunter is, you know, he was 150 pounds. He was athletic, but he was weak. He literally, literally benched 125 pounds when he came to Clemson,” Swinney said. “He’s a three-sport athlete, he was never in the weight room, you know he was always twitchy and fast, but never in a million years would you think he’s a football player if you just walked up.”

But, Renfrow's lack of size or strength didn't matter. In his second season at Clemson, he caught one of the most iconic touchdowns in the school's history, a last-second score thrown by Deshaun Watson to beat Alabama in the College Football PlayoffsNational Championship. As Swinney says, he's just a football player.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Jayden Daniels and Antonio Pierce

Benedetto Vitale ·

GM Tom Telesco in the middle, Terrion Arnold, Michael Penix Jr, Jalen McMillan around him, and Las Vegas Raiders wallpaper in the background

Enzo Flojo ·

Cody Whitehair in a Raiders uniform

Ben Strauss ·

“Football players come in all shapes and sizes — they really do — at the end of the day you got to be able to play between the lines, and he is the epitome of that, for sure,” Swinney said of Renfrow. “When he puts that helmet on I don’t know what happens, he becomes Superman. It’s like Clark Kent taking his glasses off or something. He just has a gift to be able to play the game, and he’s still not anywhere close to a finished product … Just one of the most unassuming guys you’ll ever be around.”

For what it's worth, Renfrow can certainly bench 125 pounds now. At the NFL Combine, he recorded seven reps on the 225-pound bench press. Eventually, the receiver that doesn't look like a football player got drafted in the fifth round by the Raiders. He's expected to compete for the starting slot role immediately alongside Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams.