Latest news with #BurlsworthTrophy
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
5 things to know about new Rams OT David Quessenberry, who beat cancer early in his career
5 things to know about new Rams OT David Quessenberry, who beat cancer early in his career Quessenberry was drafted in 2013 but didn't make his NFL debut until 4 years later After letting Joe Noteboom walk in free agency, the Los Angeles Rams needed help at the swing tackle position. They appear to have found it during OTAs by signing veteran lineman David Quessenberry to a one-year deal, adding the 34-year-old to their offensive tackle group. Quesenberry will first have to make the 53-man roster but given the lack of depth behind starters Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein, he'll have a good chance to stick around on his fifth NFL team. Here are five things to know about the veteran tackle who last played for the Vikings in 2023 and 2024. He didn't have any scholarship offers out of high school Quessenberry went to La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, Calif., so he grew up not too far from Los Angeles. During his time there, he played tight end and wasn't exactly on the radar of colleges. He didn't have a single scholarship offer out of high school, so he walked on at San Jose State in 2008 and eventually earned a scholarship there. He was one of the top non-scholarship players in the FBS in 2012 In 2012, Quessenberry was named a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the best player in the FBS who began his career as a walk-on. It was given to Matt McGloin that year but simply being one of three finalists for the award was an accomplishment for the San Jose State lineman. He beat cancer early in his NFL career Quessenberry was a sixth-round pick by the Texans in 2013 but he didn't see the field until his fifth season in the NFL. That's because he suffered a season-ending foot injury in September of his rookie year and then in the summer of 2014, he was diagnosed with a "very rare and very aggressive" form of Lymphoma. He began chemotherapy right away and then got radiation treatment for six months. In February of 2015, the cancer went into remission. He finished his treatment in April of 2017, officially winning his battle with cancer. Quessenberry made his NFL debut in December of 2017 after being promoted from the Texans' practice squad, marking his first game as a pro since being drafted four-plus years earlier. He won the 2017 George Halas Award for overcoming adversity After making his way back from months of treatment and a multi-year absence due to Lymphoma, the NFL recognized Quessenberry's perseverance by naming him the George Halas Award recipient, which goes to the player, coach and staff member who overcomes the most adversity in a given year. He's 1 of 3 brothers to make it to the NFL Quessenberry isn't the only member of his family to reach the NFL. His brother Scott was a fifth-round pick in 2018, landing with the Chargers as the 155th overall pick. His other brother, Paul, signed with the Patriots as an undrafted rookie in 2020 after serving five years in the Marine Corps. He also had a stint with the Texans from 2021-2022. Follow Rams Wire on X, Facebook and Threads for more coverage!
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Check out these highlights of Broncos tryout TE Mikey Harrison
Check out these highlights of Broncos tryout TE Mikey Harrison The Denver Broncos are searching high and low for players to round out the 90-man roster. This time, they didn't have to look too far, inviting wide receiver/tight end Michael Harrison from the University of Colorado down the road to their Dove Valley headquarters for rookie minicamp, which takes place this week. Harrison (6-3, 190 pounds) caught passes from touted NFL prospect Shedeur Sanders in 2023, before transferring to the San Diego State Aztecs in 2024. In 2023, Harrison had his best statistical season, hauling in 31 passes for 284 yards and five touchdowns. With those five scores, Harrison set a Buffalo record for most touchdowns in a season by a walk-on. Harrison was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding college football walk-on. Harrison also saw time on special teams at Colorado, which may be a boon for Broncos special teams coach Darren Rizzi. It will remain to be seen if the former Buff can catch on in the state where he played his best football. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'It kicked my butt pretty good': Hunter Renfrow opens up about battling illness and finding new purpose in NFL return
Hunter Renfrow | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images This isn't just another player trying to make an NFL roster. This is Hunter Renfrow , former walk-on, Clemson hero, Pro Bowl receiver , fighting his way back onto the field after an entire year away from football. His new gig with the Carolina Panthers isn't just a signing; it's a second shot at everything the game once promised him. And this time, it means more than ever. Hunter Renfrow went from walk-on to national champion then disappeared from football in 2024 Hunter Renfrow's story always reads like a football fairytale. From being a no-name walk-on at Clemson in 2014 to catching the game-winning touchdown in the 2016 national championship, he became a fan favorite through grit, smarts, and sure hands. He even bagged the Burlsworth Trophy in 2018, awarded to the top player who started as a walk-on. That underdog energy never left him. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo He brought the same spark to the NFL, rising to Pro Bowl status with the Raiders and proving himself against bigger, flashier names. But in 2024, just as fans expected another solid year, Renfrow vanished from the scene. No injuries were reported, but he quietly slipped out of football. Turns out, the game hadn't left Renfrow. His body had. In a recent interview, he revealed he'd been fighting ulcerative colitis—a chronic autoimmune disease that wreaked havoc on his health. The worst of it? Days on end with 103-degree fevers and dramatic weight loss that dropped him to 150 pounds. "It kicked my butt pretty good," Renfrow admitted. Football was out of the question. He didn't have the strength to train, let alone compete. It wasn't just a lost season; it was survival mode. Now healthy and weighing in around 187 pounds ("too many Oreos," he joked), Renfrow signed with the Carolina Panthers. But this move isn't just about a comeback, it's about coming home. He was born in Myrtle Beach, played his college ball at Clemson, and idolized Panthers greats like Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly . "I'm from the Carolinas... the people are special to me, the place is special to me," he said. For a player who knows what it's like to be overlooked and underestimated, returning to Carolina is the perfect full-circle moment. He knows the Panthers' wide receiver room is stacked, and nothing is promised. But if there's anyone who knows how to earn his spot, it's the guy who once signed a blank page to walk on at Clemson. He's done the improbable before and now, with a fresh perspective and a healthy body, he's ready to do it again. Also read - 'His Sister Suck My D***' : Antonio Brown reignites beef with Ben Roethlisberger in an ugly tweet about 2011 Pro Bowl incident
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Clemson star wide receiver Hunter Renfrow signs with the Carolina Panthers
Former Clemson star wide receiver Hunter Renfrow signs with the Carolina Panthers Hunter Renfrow is officially back in the league — and Clemson fans won't have to go far to see him play. The Carolina Panthers announced Sunday night that they have signed the veteran wide receiver, giving their offense another experienced option. Renfrow, 29, spent the 2023 season with the Raiders, appearing in all 17 games and making three starts. He totaled 25 catches for 255 yards that year, but was released by Las Vegas in March 2024 and went unsigned for the season. This offseason, he met with both the Raiders and Panthers before ultimately landing in Carolina. A fifth-round draft pick in 2019, Renfrow's best stretch came in 2021 when he earned Pro Bowl honors, posting career highs with 103 receptions, 1,038 yards, and nine touchdowns to help the Raiders reach the playoffs. Over his career, he has compiled 269 receptions for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns in 73 games. Renfrow, a South Carolina native, was a two-time national champion at Clemson, including catching the game-winning touchdown against Alabama in the 2016 title game. He finished his college career with 186 catches for 2,133 yards and 15 touchdowns, setting school records for starts by a receiver (47) and consecutive games with a catch (43). He also took home the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the nation's top former walk-on player. Now, Renfrow is back in familiar territory — and ready for a fresh start in the NFL. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Panthers agree to terms with former Pro Bowl WR Hunter Renfrow
Panthers agree to terms with former Pro Bowl WR Hunter Renfrow The Carolina Panthers remained busy following the 2025 NFL draft. As announced on Sunday night, the team has agreed to terms with free-agent wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. A Myrtle Beach, S.C. native and Clemson University standout, Renfrow was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft. He entered the pros as a two-time College Football Playoff national champion (2016, 2018), a Burlsworth Trophy winner (2018) and a two-time third-team All-ACC selection (2017, 2018). Over five seasons in Las Vegas, Renfrow totaled 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns on 269 receptions. His best pro season, a Pro Bowl campaign, came in 2021—where he notched 103 catches for 1,038 yards and nine scores. Renfrow also has experience as a return specialist, which remains a position of need for Carolina. He fielded 70 punts between 2019 and 2022. The 29-year-old Renfrow did not play this past season. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
