Editor's note: This story was first published March 17, 2019.

CLEMSON – Philip Greene is not really a Clemson fan per se – “my family is kind of split down the middle,” he says – but they’re unabashed supporters of former Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.

“We’ve watched Hunter all the way up through middle school and high school,” Greene said. “He’s just a great guy and his family is super nice people, too.”

Greene drove his two sons, 14-year-old Steven and 12-year-old Brandon, from their home in Myrtle Beach to Clemson to attend the Hunter Renfrow Football Camp at Nettles Park in Clemson on Saturday.

“If my kids could be anything like Hunter Renfrow, I would say that would be a success,” Greene said.

Greene is not alone. Renfrow, who also is a Myrtle Beach native, has become a model for many young people for multiple reasons, not the least of which is perseverance.

Renfrow came to Clemson as a smallish 5-foot-10 walk-on and emerged a cult hero, with his shining moment being the winning reception in the 2016 National Championship Game.

He also set Clemson records for starts by a wide receiver with 47 and consecutive games with at least one reception with 43.

Above all, though, may be Renfrow’s love for the game.

“I feel like I’m just a big kid,” Renfrow said during his camp. “I was here 10 years ago and a lot of my play on the field is just having fun like these kids.

“They’re learning from me today, but I’ve learned a lot from them as well – just to have fun in the game and enjoy the moment. And if you do that you’re going to be successful.”

Kelli Horton of Landrum also had two sons at Renfrow’s camp – Ian, 7, and Grayson, 11, the latter of whom wears Renfrow’s No. 13 in all of the sports in which he participates.

“I think he’s just kind of your average college student,” Horton said of Renfrow. “It’s something you don’t expect. He seems really down to earth, very humble.”

Jamie Stewart and his wife, Amanda, who were in attendance – in the middle of an Alabama fan section – when Renfrow made his fateful catch from Deshaun Watson in the 2016 title game, brought their 7-year-old son, Zander, to Renfrow’s camp.

“He’s on the smaller side so Hunter’s pretty much an inspiration to him,” said Stewart, who lives in Charlotte. “Hunter and Deshaun, those are his two main idols right there.”

And likely will continue to be despite their days at Clemson having ended. Watson is an All-Pro quarterback for the Houston Texans; Renfrow will be bound for a pro team when the NFL Draft begins late next month.

“In a way he is kind of big kid,” Greene said of Renfrow. “But once he steps on that field he’s all business. There’s a position for him in the NFL somewhere. Once a team gets him at their facility they’ll find out quickly that he’s a player – he’s just a true athlete and a great person. He’ll be a great influence in the locker room.”

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