The former Watson teammate was giddy about a potential reunion
Watson, Renfrow reunion would be "great"
Mar 3, 2019, 7:30 am
Hunter Renfrow of Clemson. Getty Images.
Three years ago Deshaun Watson and Hunter Renfrow connected for the game-winning score to win the Clemson Tigers the national championship.
On This Date: Deshaun Watson found Hunter Renfrow to give @ClemsonFB the title đ pic.twitter.com/G62Vmh0Lqp
â ESPN (@espn) January 9, 2019
Could they recreate their Clemson connection in the pros?
Renfrow spoke at the NFL Scouting Combine Friday and said he had met with Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly. He also mentioned the meeting was very unique compared to the other meetings he's had with teams.
The Texans meeting centered around his relationship with Deshaun while Renfrow mentioned other meetings are more about getting to know him and his style the Texans got down to business talking about he and Watson's history and potential future.
The NFL is no stranger to Clemson pass catchers. Renfrow detailed the success the school has had producing NFL players at his position.
[ia_video https://s3.amazonaws.com/roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms/runner%2F9313-IMG_9616.MOV source="https://s3.amazonaws.com/roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms/runner%2F9313-IMG_9616.MOV" caption="Renfrow on Clemson WR at the combine" attribution="Cody Stoots" videoControls=true shortcode_id=1551546543561 expand=1 ]Being a short, white, skilled wide receiver people naturally assume the New England Patriots will be interested. How does Renfrow feel about that connection being drawn?
"They win," he said. "I'll go wherever they pay me to go. The Patriots would be cool, playing with a guy like Tom Brady. That would be incredible, to play with one of the greatest to ever play the game would be special."
But what about reuniting with the quarterback you won a national title with?
"That'd be great," Renfrow exclaimed about possibly playing with Watson again.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney joked with his departing slot pass catcher. Renfrow said his former head coach explained he might end up with a downgrade at quarterback despite being the NFL having played with talented throwers like Watson and current Clemson star Trevor Lawrence.
Well, Swinney might be right. Unless, of course, Watson to Renfrow happens in red, white, and blue like it did in orange and purple.
Cody's Take
The skill set Renfrow brings to the table replicates quite a bit what last year's selection in the fourth round, Keke Coutee, brings to the table. They are both slot wideouts though Coutee is set to be the more dynamic athlete (Renfrow only benched at the combine putting up seven reps).
But, why not make this work? Coutee was hurt in his only NFL action, but played great for a rookie when he was in there. Renfrow has a track record of durability coming from college. He has tape that matters despite concerns about his athletcism and the ability to withstand hits at the NFL level.
Imagine having Coutee and Renfrow in the slots and Hopkins on the outside with say, tight end Jordan Thomas. You stop speed or you stop size. You can't stop both.
It feels like a bit of a luxury pick though, and Renfrow could go in about the fourth round where the Texans don't have a selection due to the Demaryius Thomas trade. If he kept slipping down the draft boards into the fifth or later he would be worth adding to the team.
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After dropping a frustrating series to the Chicago White Sox, the Houston Astros find themselves in a familiar positionâsearching for answers, but still within striking distance. Despite their inconsistency, Houston sits just three games behind the AL West-leading Mariners, who are currently 7 games over .500 and riding an 8-2 stretch. For as up-and-down as the Astros have been, the division remains tantalizingly close.
That inconsistency was on full display throughout the White Sox series. Jake Meyers and Zach Dezenzo each played the roles of both hero and heartbreaker. Dezenzo launched a massive home run in Game 3, a moment that energized the dugout and briefly shifted momentum. But his costly defensive error later in the game flipped the script. Meyers was a spark plug in Houstonâs lone win, delivering a clutch performance at the plate, only to run the team out of a rally in the finale when he was picked off secondâright before Jeremy Peña ripped what would have been an RBI single.
Jose Altuveâs struggles are quietly becoming more worrisome. Heâs recorded just one multi-hit game since April 19 and has only one homer since April 8. On Sunday, he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had grinded through a 33-pitch inningâa decision that raised questions about his awareness in a veteran moment. Should manager Joe Espada have reminded Altuve of the situation? Or is this on Altuve, who should have known what to do as one of the team leaders?
Signs of life
There are flickers of life from the bats. Last week, Houston's team OPS was an underwhelming .667 (23rd in MLB), with a slugging percentage of .357 (25th). They've nudged those numbers up to .684 (19th) and .370 (21st), respectively. Itâs modest progress, but enough to suggest this offense might be trending in the right direction. Still, their 5-5 record over the last 10 games feels emblematic of who they are right nowâa .500 team with both talent and flaws.
Looking ahead
The upcoming schedule could be a turning point. Three of the next five opponents have losing records, and none of them are elite. This stretch offers a prime opportunity for Houston to finally build momentum and close the gap in the divisionâassuming the Mariners cool off from their current tear, which seems inevitable given their unsustainable 8-2 pace.
McCullers is officially back!
Lance McCullers returned for the first time since 2022 and, despite being limited to 3.2 innings due to command issues (three walks and a hit batter), there were encouraging signs. His velocity was there, and the stuff looked sharp. Itâs a start, and perhaps a step toward stabilizing a rotation that still needs length.
Steering the ship
Manager Joe Espada, however, continues to draw scrutiny. His decision-making in the finale raised eyebrows again. Giving Isaac Paredes a day off when Yordan Alvarez was already sitting left the lineup depleted. Rather than using promising young infielder/outfielder Cam Smith, he opted for Mauricio DubĂłn and Brendan Rodgersâa defensive combo that didn't inspire confidence. It feels at times like Espada isnât prioritizing winning the final game of a series, a pattern that could haunt the team down the stretch.
The plot thickens
Meanwhile, Christian Walkerâs slump is dragging on. He went 0-for-5 twice in the last two series and looks out of sync at the plate. The Astros need more from their power hitters if they hope to make a real run. And with Alvarez now heading to the IL with hand inflammation, runs will be even harder to come by.
All told, this team still feels like one hovering just above or below .500. But in a division that remains wide open, the path forward is clear: play better, hope the Mariners come back to earth, and capitalize on a soft schedule. The race is far from overâbut itâs time for Houston to start acting like contenders.
We have so much more to discuss. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold âStros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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