Hunter Renfrow hit stick 'one of the best plays I've ever seen' Gruden says
Hunter Renfrow earned high praise from Jon Gruden on Monday night.
It’s safe to say the Las Vegas Raiders head coach has seen a ton of eye-popping plays throughout his coaching (and broadcasting) careers.
During Monday night’s loss to the Chargers, Gruden witnessed one of the smallest players in the NFL deliver one of the unlikeliest plays of the season.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow made a play that would make defensive backs jealous as he stopped a fake punt with a huge tackle. On a Los Angeles Chargers punt attempt, nobody covered the outside gunner and the Chargers felt they had an easy catch for a first down.
Renfrow saw the play developing and closed on the pass like a trained cornerback before delivering his big hit
Gruden chimed in on the former Clemson slot receiver, who also played backup safety in college, showcasing his skillset that many never knew existed.
“One of the best plays I’ve ever seen,” Gruden said of the Hunter Renfrow “hit stick” play in his Tuesday press conference. “Effort, instincts, understanding the game, and making the play. This guy is an amazing football player. I wish we had four of those guys. He’s something else.”
Renfrow finished the game with six receptions for 45 yards with a touchdown. The fifth-round pick of the 2019 draft has become one of the Raiders’ most consistent receivers, catching 22 passes for 249 yards with a pair of TDs so far in 2021.
Social media reacts to Hunter Renfrow hit
The hit caught the attention of anyone watching Monday Night Football but was enough to impress at least one former NFL scout.
“Been watching 2022 safety class for [the Reese’s Senior Bowl] and this is a better break and strike than we’ve seen this season,” claimed ESPN draft analyst Jim Nagy about the Hunter Renfrow play.
Former NFL safety Ryan Clark knows a thing or two about hitting and also gave his praise for Renfrow.
Levi Damien, who covers the Raiders for USA Today, was even more impressed after his in-depth breakdown of the ground Renfrow covered to make the play.
Renfrow’s play helped prevent another potential score by the Chargers on a night where the Raiders were having trouble staying in the game early. Going into the half, the Raiders trailed 21-0 and had only gained 51 yards of total offense.
While limited on Monday early, Renfrow has been a huge part of the Raiders’ early season success as their slot receiver. Through three games, Renfrow has 224 yards and a touchdown.
It was just one play, but that Hunter Renfrow hit to save a fake punt — even in a loss — will be remembered forever (at least from Raiders nation).