WATCH: Hunter Renfrow breaks up Chargers fake punt with huge tackle
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. Hunter Renfrow read the play developing and closed on the pass like a trained cornerback before delivering his big hit.
Hunter Renfrow’s huge hit on the fake punt
Whether the fake punt was called on purpose or ran as a result of the Raiders missing their coverage assignments, the Chargers had what would normally be a free attempt at the first down. Renfrow’s athleticism allowed him to close like a professional defensive back before laying a hit strong enough to pop the ball loose on contact.
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 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.
Renfrow beating Jalen Ramsey in practice
Prior to his huge tackle on the fake punt Monday, Hunter Renfrow made news in the preseason against Rams quarterback Jalen Ramsey.
Renfrow bragged that he beat of one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks in the Raiders-Rams joint practice from the preseason, while Jalen Ramsey said that fans shouldn’t believe what “people say [just] for clicks.”
The verdict, according to subsequent videos: Renfrow was right.
The former fifth-round draft pick has continued to show significant developments entering his third season with the Raiders, and that week he proved it by getting the best of Ramsey.
Although quarterback Derek Carr overthrew Renfrow on this particular play, Renfrow had Ramsey beat in the end zone. And according to numerous reports, this wasn’t the only rime Renfrow beat Ramsey, a two-time All-Pro, in what was a very productive practice for the slot receiver.
“If I can beat Jalen Ramsey, then I can beat anybody in the NFL, because he is one of the best,” Renfrow said. “That’s how I approach it. He got me a couple of times, and hopefully tomorrow we make each other better again.”
On3’s Simon Gibbs contributed to this article.