Carolina Panthers add Alabama villain Hunter Renfrow as target for quarterback Bryce Young

Hunter Renfrow had secured his spot in Crimson Tide lore before Bryce Young arrived to start his Heisman Trophy career at Alabama.

Now the Tide villain and Bama hero are teammates in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers announced on Sunday night that Renfrow would join the team after they agreed to terms with the wide receiver.

In the CFP national-championship game for the 2016 season, Renfrow caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Deshaun Watson with one second to play to lift Clemson to a 35-31 victory over previously unbeaten Alabama.

In the previous season’s CFP title contest, the Tide had defeated Clemson 45-40. Renfrow had seven receptions for 88 yards and two touchdowns in that contest before posting 10 receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns in Clemson’s victory the next year.

Renfrow is attempting a comeback with Carolina.

The Las Vegas Raiders released Renfrow in March 2024, and he did not play in the 2024 season. Renfrow had 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021, when he earned Pro Bowl recognition as the Raiders’ slot receiver. But over the next two seasons, his production declined to 61 receptions for 585 yards and two touchdowns.

RELATED: BRYCE YOUNG THANKFUL FOR THIS ‘LUXURY’ IN 2025

Carolina also acquired new targets for Young in the NFL Draft last week. The Panthers used the eighth pick on Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, the 163rd selection on Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans and the 208th choice on Colorado wide receiver Jimmy Horn.

Young is preparing for his third NFL season after being the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft.