ALAMEDA -- Hunter Renfrow was a preferred walk-on at Clemson. He played in three straight College Football Playoffs, won two national championships and caught the game-winning touchdown to beat Alabama in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. He's no stranger to pressure.
Now, after being drafted by the Raiders in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Renfrow is preparing to make his NFL debut as the Silver and Black's starting slot receiver when the Raiders face the Denver Broncos on Monday night.
You'd expect the rookie to have some butterflies or anxiety about stepping onto the field for his first NFL game -- it's only natural as you prepare to achieve a lifelong goal -- but Renfrow knows he belongs.
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"I was a lot more nervous (before my first game) at Clemson," Renfrow told NBC Sports California on Wednesday. "I didn't know if I was good enough. Here we've had a good month-and-a-half of practice. Like I was saying, to go against Lamarcus Joyner and he's one of the NFL's best. Just challenging myself to beat him in practice, and if I do that, hopefully, I won't be overwhelmed come Monday night."
Renfrow entered training camp in an apparent position battle to be the starting slot receiver, but he quickly won that with his uncanny knack for getting open and steady hands. He also has a number of veterans to lean on for advice, including one of the game's best -- Antonio Brown.
While Brown wasn't around the team all the time during camp, Renfrow already has learned a lot from the four-time All-Pro.
"Just being around him, he's so fun," Renfrow said. "He brings out the best in everybody. Just the way he practices and the way he runs his routes. He sells everything vertical. As a receiver, if you can get the DB to think you're running vertical, it opens up everything and so it's fun to watch him and he's a special player, and I'm excited to watch him Monday night as well."
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The Raiders were a disappointing 4-12 last season, a teardown project that equated to a Year 0 under coach Jon Gruden.
Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock injected youth and talent into the roster, with Renfrow and two of his Clemson teammates -- edge rusher Clelin Ferrell and cornerback Trayvon Mullen -- serving as what the Raiders hope will be the foundation for a culture shift.
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Despite being a fifth-round draft pick, Renfrow's stock is high and he is expected to be a key cog in an offense with all the tools to be one of the NFL's best.
Renfrow, however, channeled his inner Al Davis when asked what his expectations were for himself in his first real NFL action.
"Whatever it takes to win," Renfrow said. "Really. I mean, it's a one-game season. It doesn't matter to me if I catch 30 balls or three fumbles. That's what's important to me and I'm excited to be able to celebrate on Monday night."