Former Clemson athletes working to enhance fan experience with NIL venture

The name, image and likeness era has arrived in college athletics with the student-athletes in mind. As part of a new endeavor to help put money in the pockets of Clemson’s athletes, a pair of former Tiger football players are aiming to take the fan …

The name, image and likeness era has arrived in college athletics with the student-athletes in mind. As part of a new endeavor to help put money in the pockets of Clemson’s athletes, a pair of former Tiger football players are aiming to take the fan experience to another level.

Ben Boulware and Darien Rencher are spearheading the Palmetto Cat Crew, an NIL community exclusive to Clemson. A part of The Players’ Lounge NFT umbrella, the Palmetto Cat Crew is contracting with 12 current Clemson football players to give fans unprecedented access to the athletes.

“We’re basically selling all-access passes to members of the Clemson football team to enhance the Clemson football experience,” said Rencher, who spent six years as a running back for the Tigers before wrapping up his collegiate career last season. 

For $200, fans will get exclusive interactions with the players, which include defensive linemen KJ Henry, Xavier Thomas and Tyler Davis, linebacker Trenton Simpson, offensive lineman Jordan McFadden and safety Andrew Mukuba. Memberships will include private chats as well as in-person events, the nature of which are still in the planning stages.

Rencher said the group is looking at having at least one event during Clemson’s bye week in late October. A golf outing and exclusive video-game sessions are possibilities. Other potential events include a gym class in which fans are instructed by players of their choice, meet-and-greet tailgates during at least one home football game this fall, Rencher said.

Rencher said the group is aiming to hold at least four in-person events this year. The objective, he said, is to give paying members their money’s worth.

“I want people to leave thinking, ‘I only paid $200 for this experience?’ I don’t want people to leave and be like, ‘I paid $200 for that experience, and I don’t feel like I got enough,’” Rencher said. “Me and Ben’s job is literally to make people’s experience well worth their while.”

Rencher said he and Boulware, an All-American linebacker on Clemson’s 2016 national championship team, hope to have a more concrete plan on the events by July 23. That’s when the Palmetto Cat Crew will hold a launch event at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Fans will be able to start purchasing memberships at that time. Rencher said 60% of the money made through the Palmetto Cat Crew will go to its partner athletes. The Players’ Lounge will get 30% while Rencher and Boulware will split 10%.

“I really feel like it’s a win-win for everybody involved,” Rencher said.

Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Oklahoma are some of the other schools that are offering the same kind of NFT membership to their fans.

“We’re just trying to get as many eyeballs on the project as possible because we feel like once people understand what we’re doing, to enough people, it will be a no-brainer to be a part of it,” Rencher said.

Dear Old Clemson’s first event is July 24. Now there is a new way to support Clemson student-athletes. Come out and meet the freshmen football players at this meet and greet autograph session. If you sign up for certain club levels you get free access to all Dear Old Clemson events. Purchase your tickets today at Dear Old Clemson.

Clemson players, fans react to Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher NIL feud

Clemson players and college football fans react on Twitter about Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher’s feud over NIL and recruiting.

The college football landscape took a drastic turn in the past 24 hours, with Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher going after each other in a public feud over recruiting and name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.

The feud got kicked off on Wednesday night after Saban accused Fisher that he and his program “bought every player on their team” in reference to the Aggies’ 2022 recruiting class which has eight five-stars and is No. 1 in the country.

Saban backtracked on his comments on Thursday, reaching out to A&M and Jackson State, which he also brought up, and apologizing for bringing up specific programs in his criticism of NIL’s effect. The apology, however, was too late, as Fisher responded in his press conference on Thursday.

“It’s a shame that we have to do this,” Fisher said. “It’s really despicable. It’s despicable that someone can say things about somebody, and more importantly, 17-year-old kids. You’re taking shots at 17-year-old kids and their families that they broke state laws, that we bought every player on this group.”

The banter between the two SEC coaches can be tied back to Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, who has been heavily criticized in the past for his comments about NIL. Most recently, Swinney spoke to ESPN’s Chris Low in April, expressing his displeasure with NIL’s effect on recruiting and college football.

“There’s no rules, no guidance, no nothing,” Swinney said. “It’s out of control. It’s not sustainable. It’s an absolute mess and a train wreck, and the kids are going to be the ones who suffer in the end.”

Swinney has reaffirmed multiple times that he’s okay with players receiving NIL deals, but what he is against is “anything that devalues education.”

With Saban and Fisher’s back-and-forth comments, Clemson players and college football fans weighed in on Twitter to express their thoughts on the controversy and Swinney’s past comments.

Darien Rencher ‘just wanted an opportunity’ and now he has one

Tack on another undrafted Clemson player to receive an invitation to NFL camp.

Another former Clemson Tiger is getting his shot in the NFL after the Carolina Panthers extended an invitation to running back Darien Rencher.

After participating in Clemson’s pro day in March, Rencher relayed that he was actively pursuing a career in the NFL, and now he has a chance to make the Panthers roster.

Rencher spent the past six seasons with the Tigers, racking up 437 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries. He was also the recipient of the 2020 Disney Spirit Award, given to college football’s most inspirational figure.

With the invitation, Rencher joins a large group of undrafted Tigers heading to NFL camps, including wide receiver Justyn Ross, linebacker James Skalski, cornerback Mario Goodrich and safety Nolan Turner.

“I just wanted an opportunity,” Rencher said on Twitter.

[mm-video type=video id=01g1vwgzwvw2p2dbemxp playlist_id=01fvdd1xkgcx6zr5s5 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g1vwgzwvw2p2dbemxp/01g1vwgzwvw2p2dbemxp-297473a96b7980d2fca566d20edf4433.jpg][listicle id=1513]

Former Tiger gets NFL opportunity

A former Clemson running back was hoping for a chance to play at the next level and now he’s getting his shot. Darien Rencher announced on social media that he has received an invitation to the Carolina Panthers’ rookie minicamp, which begins …

A former Clemson running back was hoping for a chance to play at the next level and now he’s getting his shot.

Darien Rencher announced on social media that he has received an invitation to the Carolina Panthers’ rookie minicamp, which begins Friday.

An original walk-on, Rencher finished his six-year Clemson career from 2016-21 having recorded 93 carries for 437 yards and three touchdowns over 48 career games.

The Anderson, S.C., native was the first Disney Spirit Award winner in program history after earning the honor in 2020. In 2021, he was named to the AFCA Good Works Team and was also a Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year semifinalist.

Congratulations! You did it! You graduated! Now is the time to preserve your diploma in a custom frame. Here at Clemson Variety & Frame, we build all our frames in-house – from the frame to the mats and etchings to the installation – to guarantee the quality. You worked hard for your degree. Trust us to show your diploma in the best light possible.

‘Continuing to dream’, Rencher hopes for shot at NFL

Darien Rencher realizes the odds are long. A reserve running back at Clemson the last handful of years, Rencher was far from a headliner last week at the Tigers’ pro day, his only opportunity to make his case in front of league personnel before next …

Darien Rencher realizes the odds are long.

A reserve running back at Clemson the last handful of years, Rencher was far from a headliner last week at the Tigers’ pro day, his only opportunity to make his case in front of league personnel before next month’s NFL Draft. He put up what he felt like were some solid numbers.

He record a 32-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 10 feet, the third-best measurement in both events among the participants. He clocked a couple of mid-4.6s in the 40-yard dash, and his 26 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press tied linebacker James Skalski for the most despite being the smallest participant at just south of 5-foot-8 and 192 pounds.

Rencher then caught passes during position drills, something he said he’ll have to be able to do at his size to maximize his appeal to NFL teams, before catching a cramp in his calf that essentially ended his workout.

“I was smiling a lot (Thursday) until I cramped up, but it was a good day,” Rencher said.

Rencher said he’s hopeful his performance was good enough to pique a team’s interest on the draft’s third day, which will be April 22. That’s when the final four rounds of the seven-round draft will be held.

If a team doesn’t draft him, Rencher would then have to hope one will take a chance on him as an undrafted free agent, which may still be his most likely shot at a rookie minicamp if it comes at all. In six seasons as a member of Clemson’s program, Rencher, who originally joined the team as a walk-on back in 2016, had 93 carries for 437 yards.

“Obviously I’m very self-aware. I don’t have premier stats, but I feel like I’ve got premier respect,” Rencher said. “I’ve built some great character, and I know I can play.”

Which is why Rencher decided to work out in front of representatives from all 32 NFL teams on campus last week. Football may not be in the cards for Rencher beyond college, but he didn’t want to have any regrets.

“Coming here, it was continuing to dream and never settling,” he said. “I never wanted my story to be would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. For me, it’s just put it all out there and see what happens. And if it ends, it ends. But it ends on my terms. Not because I was afraid to go out there and chase it.”

As for his plans if football doesn’t work out, Rencher said he will pursue a career in sports journalism. He already has The Players Club video podcast that he hosts each week on YouTube and said he’s got some other things in the works if he needs to start in that line of work sooner than he wants.

But he said he’s also hired an agent just in case.

“At the end of the day, there’s always someone on the roster you know nothing about that plays special teams, is a solid backup and is always ready to play,” Rencher said. “I feel like, for me, that’s kind of ironically been my Clemson experience. I think I can go do that at the next level for a ballclub and really just bring value to the organization.

“I’d be cheap labor. At the end of the day, that’s what it comes down to. It’s a business, man. If you can pay somebody less money to do a job, I will take whatever they’re willing to offer.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Watch: Venables on leaving Clemson, returning to Oklahoma

Former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables joined this week’s edition of The Players Club Podcast, hosted by former Tiger running back Darien Rencher. Venables discussed a number of different topics with Rencher, including what about …

Former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables joined this week’s edition of The Players Club Podcast, hosted by former Tiger running back Darien Rencher.

Venables discussed a number of different topics with Rencher, including what about Oklahoma made him decide to leave Clemson to take the Sooners’ head coaching job, when he decided he wanted to be a head coach, what he’s done with all of his Clemson gear, how his experience on the Tigers’ coaching staff has prepared him for this next chapter, and more.

You can watch Rencher’s interview with Venables on The Players Club Podcast below:

–Photo for this article courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

40-yard dash times from Clemson’s Pro Day

Clemson Football held its annual Pro Day on Thursday in the Poe Indoor Facility. Here are the (unofficial) results from Tigers that participated in the 40-yard dash (times per the ACC Network’s coverage of Clemson’s Pro Day): TE Braden Galloway: …

Clemson Football held its annual Pro Day on Thursday in the Poe Indoor Facility.

Here are the (unofficial) results from Tigers that participated in the 40-yard dash (times per the ACC Network’s coverage of Clemson’s Pro Day):

TE Braden Galloway: 4.60 (first attempt); 4.65 (second attempt)

RB Darien Rencher: 4.59 (first attempt); 4.65 (second attempt)

WR Justyn Ross: 4.56 (first attempt); 4.65 (second attempt)

LB James Skalski: 4.69 (first attempt); 4.77 (second attempt)

S Nolan Turner: 4.44 (first attempt); 4.44 (second attempt)

CB Mario Goodrich: 4.64 (first attempt); 4.57 (second attempt)

LS Jack Maddox: 5.14 (first attempt); 5.16 (second attempt)

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Swinney vents on ‘unhealthy dynamic’ of transfer portal

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was a guest this week on The Players Club Podcast, which is hosted by former Tigers running back Darien Rencher. Among the topics that Rencher and Swinney discussed is the NCAA transfer portal. Swinney believes the …

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was a guest this week on The Players Club Podcast, which is hosted by former Tigers running back Darien Rencher.

Among the topics that Rencher and Swinney discussed is the NCAA transfer portal.

Swinney believes the current college football landscape, in regard to the transfer portal, is not sustainable and is hurting many student-athletes.

“With the transfer portal, there are some things going on that I don’t think is sustainable and I don’t think is good for a lot of young people,” he said. “You’re talking 18-, 19-, 20-year-olds that shouldn’t be equipped (to handle that yet), you know? And 98 percent are not going to play in the NFL. So, let’s help them maximize this for sure, but let’s don’t allow some of the craziness that’s creeping up.”

Swinney says plenty of high school coaches are very unhappy with the transfer portal because it’s causing less high school players to get signed with colleges.

“This transfer stuff, being on the road for the last two weeks, the biggest issue is a lot of colleges aren’t signing high school kids anymore, and the high school coaches are up in arms about it,” Swinney said. “I can’t tell you how many high schools I’ve been in the last two weeks that the coaches are so frustrated because they won’t sign their kids. Because if the kid goes there and has a good year, he’s leaving, whereas they can sign these portal guys and there’s 3,000 guys in the portal and there’s not enough spots for them to go, so they know kids are going to fall down to them.”

Added Swinney: “So, there’s just this unhealthy dynamic right now, but it will all settle out. Like anything, you kind of learn as you go. It will all settle out. Everybody is kind of figuring it out.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Swinney: ‘perfect timing’ for Venables, Elliott to move on

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was a guest this week on The Players Club Podcast, which is hosted by former Tigers running back Darien Rencher. Swinney was asked for his perspective on former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables and former …

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was a guest this week on The Players Club Podcast, which is hosted by former Tigers running back Darien Rencher.

Swinney was asked for his perspective on former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables and former offensive coordinator Tony Elliott becoming the next head coaches at Oklahoma and Virginia, respectively.

Swinney gave his thoughts on the timing of their departures and seeing the process of his former assistants accepting head coaching positions.

“It’s perfect timing because it’s always on God’s time,” Swinney said to Rencher. “This was the right time, and man, it’s awesome. You love to see your players develop and be prepared for whatever’s coming next… But also take a lot of pride in seeing the staff develop.”

Venables, of course, had been a head coaching candidate for quite some time prior to taking the Oklahoma job, but turned down various opportunities in the past to remain at Clemson.

It wasn’t until the Sooners came calling that Venables decided to make the move back to Norman, where he served as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Oklahoma from 1999-2003 and as associate head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2004-11 under former head coach Bob Stoops.

“Brent, honestly if it wasn’t the Oklahoma job, he’d still be at Clemson,” Swinney said. “That was a job that I think he had enough comfort and familiarity with. Like OK, this is what he wants to go do. People are like, ‘Oh my…’ There’s nobody happier. I’m thrilled. I thought there was a couple jobs he probably should have taken, but he just didn’t have peace about it. I mean, great jobs.”

Elliott, like Venables, had been a candidate for plenty of various coaching vacancies but stayed selective in his search for the right head coaching position.

Swinney believed UVA was the right job and situation for Elliott, and Swinney told Elliott he felt like it was the perfect fit for him.

“This was the one job – Tony’s had a few jobs – but this was the one that I really gave him my blessing on,” Swinney said. “Because Tony, I’m not old enough to be his dad, but I really look at him like a son. We have that type of relationship, and I just want him to be successful. This was a great fit for him, for his family, just who he is as a man and a coach. There’s, I think, going to be a great alignment for how he wants to do it. So, man, I was so excited, and I did everything I could to help him get the job. So, it’s sad that we don’t get to be together every day. But I’m so proud of him and I’m so happy.”

In the wake of Elliott and Venables leaving Clemson, Wes Goodwin was promoted from senior defensive assistant to defensive coordinator/linebackers coach and added the role of co-defensive coordinator for safeties coach Mickey Conn, while offensively, the Tigers promoted Brandon Streeter to offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.

Swinney has embraced the change and feels good about where his staff is going forward.

“It created some opportunity for some of my peripheral staff to get some new opportunity, but then it also allowed me to hire some new people, promote some people that were very deserving and very ready,” Swinney said. “So, it’s great. Continuity is great, and change is great. They’re both great. So, I love where we are, and the timing is perfect.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Swinney responds to those who say he’s opposed to NIL

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was a guest this week on The Players Club Podcast, which is hosted by former Tigers running back Darien Rencher. Among the topics that Rencher and Swinney discussed is name, image and likeness. Swinney made it clear …

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was a guest this week on The Players Club Podcast, which is hosted by former Tigers running back Darien Rencher.

Among the topics that Rencher and Swinney discussed is name, image and likeness.

Swinney made it clear again that he is not opposed to NIL, in spite of what some believe about his stance on it.

“Despite what you may hear or read, or what people like to create all these narratives, as y’all know, just like the old social media stuff,” Swinney said. “Every August, they’d write this terrible article about how I banned y’all from social media. I never banned anybody, that was always a player-led thing.

“It’s the same thing with the NIL. I think the NIL is great. I think it’s common sense. To me, why should a guy not be able to go do an autograph session and work and make money? Why should somebody not be able to go home and do a camp? There’s some commonsense things.”

Swinney, however, doesn’t like the “unintended consequences” of NIL and reiterated that while he’s not against NIL, he is opposed to the professionalization of college athletics.

“I do think there are, like anything, some unintended consequences going on with it where it’s being used in a way that it’s not intended, and I don’t think that’s good,” Swinney said.

“People say, ‘Oh, Coach Swinney…’ I’m not against NIL at all. What I am against is anything that devalues education. That’s what I’m against. I’m against the professionalization of college athletics. And what does that mean? That means OK, now we’re paying you guys salaries and 18-year-olds have to pay taxes. I don’t think that’s good. I think we should keep the focus on graduation, incentivize graduation and do everything we can to modernize and improve the scholarship in addition to these NIL opportunities. I think it’s great.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks