Latest news with #CollegeFootballPlayoffChampionship
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Clemson fan favorite Hunter Renfrow gets official jersey number from Carolina Panthers
Clemson fan favorite Hunter Renfrow gets official jersey number from Carolina Panthers Clemson football standout Hunter Renfrow is back in the NFL -- and with a jersey number that should thrill Tiger fans. On Friday, the Carolina Panthers assigned jersey numbers to first-year members of the team, as well as a few returning players. Renfrow will wear the number he's always worn: lucky No. 13. The Panthers and Renfrow agreed to a one-year deal back on April 27. Renfrow sat out one season in 2024 while recovering from health issues. In a feature by Darin Gantt of Renfrow revealed that he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 'It kicked my butt pretty good,' Renfrow said. 'Last year, I fluctuated in weight; I went down to 150 pounds. I had like seven straight days of 103-degree fevers. It's tough to play when you're not feeling great." In five NFL seasons, all with the Raiders, Renfrow native caught 269 passes for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns over 73 games. The Myrtle Beach native, who spent four years at Clemson from 2015-18, earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. Renfrow was a fifth-round draft pick (No. 149 overall) by the Raiders in 2019. In his four seasons with the Tigers, he won two national championships under coach Dabo Swinney. Renfrow's catch with 1 second remaining lifted Clemson to a thrilling 35-31 victory over Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide on Jan. 9, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The Tigers won their first national championship since 1981, with Renfrow hauling in 10 catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers dethroned Alabama two years later in the 2019 College Football Playoff Championship at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Renfrow was a member of that team, too, making 49 catches for 544 yards while starting all 15 games that season. The Tigers throttled the Crimson Tide 44-16 to cap an undefeated 15-0 season. Renfrow ended his Clemson career with 186 catches for 2,133 yards and 15 touchdowns, including the back-breaker that secured Tigers' first national championship in 35 years. The NFL this week unveiled its full 2025 schedule for all 32 teams. The Panthers will open the regular season against Renfrow's teammate and quarterback during his senior season: Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kickoff was announced for 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 7 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. The game will be televised on Fox. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dabo Swinney Joins Nick Saban, Bobby Bowden, Tom Osborne in Elite Coaching Milestone
Dabo Swinney's latest milestone has placed him in elite company—and underscored just how remarkable his run at Clemson has been. With the Tigers' nine-win season in 2024, Swinney became just the fourth head coach in major college football history to record at least 14 consecutive seasons with nine or more wins at a single program. He joins Tom Osborne (Nebraska), Nick Saban (Alabama), and Bobby Bowden (Florida State) on that exclusive list. All three are not only national championship winners but iconic program-builders whose names are etched into the fabric of college football. Now, Swinney is right there with them. What makes Swinney's accomplishment unique is the context in which it has happened. Osborne built his dynasty before scholarship limits and the current era of parity. Bowden's dominance came before NIL and the transfer portal. Advertisement And while Saban's streak happened in the modern age, his success came in large part through embracing roster mobility. Swinney, in contrast, has been steadfast in his approach to development over the portal, prioritizing retention, culture, and long-term growth over quick fixes. Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban smile on the field before the 2019 College Football Playoff Championship game at Levi's Stadium.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images In that sense, his path is arguably most similar to Bowden's. Both coaches built their programs with a foundation of stability and internal leadership. And like Bowden, Swinney has transformed a regional brand into a national powerhouse, collecting two national championships along the way. While his methods have often drawn scrutiny in the modern era, Swinney's sustained success is undeniable—and history now places him right alongside the greatest coaches the sport has ever seen. Advertisement Related: 2027 4-Star QB Trent Seaborn Turns Down seven-Figure NIL Deal, Focused on One Team Related: Former Clemson Star's 56-Yard Bomb Has Fans Asking Why He's Not in the NFL Related: Barrett Carter Wasting No Time Making Statement at Bengals Minicamp
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Could National Buzz Be Pushing Clemson Into Drinking the Kool-Aid
The 2025 Clemson Tigers are being talked about like a team that could soon hoist the College Football Playoff trophy. With a majority of their roster returning, including a young but talented wide receiver group, a revamped offensive line, and a defense littered with top-tier NFL draft prospects, it's easy to see why optimism is sky-high in Death Valley. But with that comes the question: Could Clemson be buying too much into the hype surrounding their national championship hopes? Advertisement National names like Josh Pate, Joel Klatt, Matt Barrie from ESPN, and David Pollack have all expressed their belief that Clemson is on the brink of a return to glory. Add in the fact that Paul Finebaum, a vocal critic of Dabo Swinney and the Tigers, has even been forced to give the team its due credit this year—something that rarely happens—and it's clear that the spotlight on Clemson is brighter than ever before. But amid the rising expectations, there's a lot to consider before buying into the hype. Let's start with the offense. The return of a solid quarterback in Cade Klubnik, along with a deep and promising group of wide receivers, gives Clemson a foundation to build on. That group, headlined by emerging stars and under-the-radar playmakers, will be key in taking the Tigers to the next level. If they can develop the chemistry needed to break out in the high-flying college football scene, Clemson could be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Advertisement Then, there's the offensive line, which has been an area of concern in recent seasons. The Tigers appear to have made strides here, bringing in key talent to shore up a unit that needed more consistency. With better protection for Klubnik and improved run blocking for their stable of talented backs, Clemson could be a major force offensively. Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates with the national championship trophy after beating the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2019 College Football Playoff Championship game at Levi's Stadium.© Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images However, it's on the defensive side where the Tigers have the most intrigue. While they've always been known for producing top-notch talent on defense, this year's unit features several players who are considered potential top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. With the addition of defensive coordinator Tom Allen, there's an expectation of an even more dynamic and aggressive approach to their defensive schemes. If Allen can unlock the full potential of his players, Clemson's defense could be one of the best in the nation. Advertisement But here's the catch: Clemson's success isn't solely tied to its own improvements. The college football landscape is as competitive as ever. Plus, there's the unpredictable nature of the sport—anything can happen when it comes to key injuries, breakout performances, or teams getting hot at the right time. The hype surrounding Clemson is palpable, and they've earned some of it based on their talent and track record. But with so much attention on them, one has to wonder if the Tigers are risking becoming a victim of their own hype. Are they truly ready to meet the massive expectations, or will they fall short like other teams before them who got caught in the wave of preseason praise? Advertisement Dabo Swinney has long been a master motivator, but he'll need more than just his usual coaching acumen to keep the pressure from building too high. Clemson is undeniably talented, but only time will tell if they can live up to the national championship hype, or if they'll end up drinking the Kool-Aid and crashing down to earth. Related: Dabo Swinney Opens Up About Rare Death Valley Moment Related: Dabo Swinney Looks to Add to Brian Kelly's Week 1 Misery in Clemson-LSU Clash Related: Even Paul Finebaum Thinks Clemson Can Win It All—Yes, Really
Fox Sports
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Shedeur Sanders defends Will Howard's up-and-down NFL Combine performance
Shedeur Sanders did not participate in any workouts at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, but he was on hand to watch his fellow quarterbacks perform — and to have their back. After an up-and-down combine performance from Will Howard, Sanders defended the quarterback who led Ohio State to the first national championship of the 12-team College Football Playoff era. Howard, who was greeted with both cheers and boos at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, missed on several deep throws during the passing drills Saturday. He also put the ball on the money with other throws. "I'm my own biggest critic, so I feel like there were some things I could clean up," Howard told NFL Network. "Overall, I think I showed that I can spin the ball with the best. And, you know, I felt good about it. And I think my footwork was pretty solid." As Sanders mentioned, Howard was not throwing to his usual receivers. Howard's top target in 2024 was Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State's all-time career receptions leader. Egbuka, a potential first-round pick, opted out of the drills at the combine. Freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith led the Buckeyes in receiving yards (1,315) and touchdown catches (15) on his way to a record-setting campaign. Smith, obviously, will not be eligible to enter the draft for two more years. Howard, who transferred to Ohio State last year, benefited from having high-caliber receivers in his one season as the starter. But he also made big-time throws, such as the title-sealing play to Smith in the national championship game, a 56-yard bomb on third-and-11 that hit his receiver in perfect stride. That same night, Howard completed a College Football Playoff Championship record of 13 consecutive passes and was named the MVP with his strong overall outing (17-of-21 passing for 231 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions). It wasn't just what Howard did after the ball was snapped that mattered. As Ohio State coach Ryan Day told FOX Sports' lead college football game analyst Joel Klatt, "We had such a great leader in Will. He was looking those guys in the eye, and they were breaking the huddle, and they believed in him when they huddle." Howard played his best football of the season during the Buckeyes' playoff run. In four games, he completed 75.2 percent of his passes for 1,150 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions while registering a 184.4 passer rating. "You turn on the film in the playoffs, man, and it's really good," Klatt said. "He's got great command of what's going on." Klatt ranked Howard as his No. 5 quarterback in this draft class. Howard isn't expected to be a top pick. Sanders, along with Miami product Cam Ward, will likely be one of the first two quarterbacks drafted. Other passers, such as Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart and Texas product Quinn Ewers, improved their draft stock with promising showings at the combine. But Howard will get drafted. His tape, meetings with teams and upcoming pro day are other ways he can put himself on the radar of a franchise looking for depth at its quarterback position. "I think he'll get more positive reviews as we get closer to the draft as he played his best football when it mattered most," Klatt added. The combine is not the be-all and end-all of the draft process. Otherwise, a prospect like Sanders would have participated alongside his fellow quarterbacks rather than just defending them after. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Lauren Daigle talks 'rhythmic' Super Bowl performance, which team she's rooting for
When Lauren Daigle steps onto the Caesars Superdome field at Sunday's Super Bowl in New Orleans, it won't be her first time in that space. In 2020, Daigle, a former Louisiana State University student, performed the national anthem in the stadium prior to the College Football Playoff Championship game (in which her beloved LSU Tigers beat the Clemson Tigers). This weekend, the song and company will be different – she's singing 'America the Beautiful' accompanied by fellow Louisianian Trombone Shorty (aka Troy Andrews) – but the honor is only heightened. Her inclusion is part of a home state musical blitz for this year's game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, with fellow Louisiana staples Jon Batiste and Ledisi on the lineup with the national anthem and Black national anthem, respectively. (California native Kendrick Lamar is handling the halftime show.) Daigle, 33, has cultivated a decade-long career blurring the lines between Christian and pop music. Songs including 'Trust in You' and 'Hold on to Me' swamped the Christian music charts, while her Grammy-winning 'You Say' and 2023's tender exploration of providence, 'Thank God I Do,' garnered mainstream attention. The vivacious and engaging Daigle took some time after her Super Bowl press conference this week to talk to USA TODAY about what to expect from her and Trombone Shorty's version of the classic song, how Batiste is a 'wellspring of life' and why she's rooting for the Chiefs (hint – it's all about grandma). Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Question: You and Trombone Shorty have a solid creative relationship. Does that go back to playing together at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2022? Lauren Daigle: That was one of our first times together. We've done some charity events and he was in my video for 'These are the Days' last year. We've had a lot of moments to cheer each other on in the process of bringing the soul and spirit of New Orleans to what we do. I feel l have a brother in him. How will you two inject a New Orleans flair into the traditional aspect of 'America the Beautiful"? I come from Lafayette, about two hours away from New Orleans and Troy comes from New Orleans proper. There are a lot of commonalities in the music between zydeco in Lafayette and jazz and brass in New Orleans and sometimes the rhythm sections can overlap. I take my hat off to Troy and our music director because they came up with an arrangement that showcases the music culture of both places. It's a very rhythmic version. It will make you want to dance. This isn't your first Superdome performance, but might it be your most nerve-wracking? With that many people in the room you just get overtaken by the unity and joy. My nerves usually fall by the wayside because the moment becomes bigger than you. I'm excited to get to be part of energy. Did you see Carrie Underwood's performance of 'America the Beautiful' at the presidential inauguration? Oh my gosh, it was so stunning. I was so proud of her. She showed the prowess of working at your craft for a long time. Honoring our nation in the way she did, regardless of political party, everyone could agree it was a standout moment for her. You could tell there was a technical difficulty and instead of letting the nerves take over, she took it on and she sang beautifully … It shows the younger generation who looks up to her that these moments happen to all of us and it's what you make of them that matters. Do you have any favorite Super Bowl performances, whether the anthem or halftime or 'America the Beautiful'? Obviously the queen, Whitney Houston (singing the national anthem in 1991). It's undeniable. It's untouchable. It's so obvious all the hard work she put in for years. I love that performance so much. And Chris Stapleton, his version (of the national anthem in 2023) I loved. I loved that he used his guitar and brought a true grassroots feel and added that little run in the middle. You and Jon Batiste have a longtime friendship. What have you learned from him? I cannot tell you how much I love him. Every time I'm around him is a breath of fresh air and his wife (Suleika Jaouad) is so lovely and she's also here and I'm so overjoyed. Jon is a wellspring of life, a talent like no other, an incredible savant of our generation … I love that he brings so many types of different people together from all walks of life. I know you're a college football fan, but what about the NFL? I am a hardcore LSU fan for sure, but the NFL I do watch and appreciate. I love the (New Orleans) Saints obviously, but I love the (Cincinnati) Bengals because of (former LSU quarterback) Joe Burrow. I was asked a year prior to sing the anthem for that LSU championship in 2020 and no one knew who would be playing in it then. When it turned out (to be LSU), I was like God, you love me so much. To be able to sing the anthem in my hometown was an honor, but to sing it for my team takes it out of this world. Which team you would like to win the Super Bowl? I would like the Chiefs because a lot of shade gets thrown when people are at the top of their game. But these guys have worked hard and a three-peat would be an incredible accomplishment for the NFL as a whole and incentivizes a new goal. My grandmother is from Lawrence, Kansas, and she's 91 and she sent all of us a text with 'Chiefs!' and smiley faces after they won the last game, so I want them to win for her. Once the Super Bowl craziness subsides, what are your plans this year? I've had some moments this year already to sit at a piano and work on new music, but also I want to go to flight school and get my pilot's license. I was talking to (fellow musician) Drew Holcomb and he has his license, and his wife, Ellie, was saying how much more family time he has because he can fly himself back home. I'd like to have that opportunity to see more family and friends.
