Running back Darien Rencher stood in a group huddle at Clemson’s practice last Monday and listened to head coach Dabo Swinney read about the Disney Spirit Award. As he scanned the faces of his teammates, he wondered if perhaps quarterback Trevor Lawrence would win the award. Maybe Travis Etienne. Maybe the entire Clemson team. Then he heard his name announced, and time seemed to stand still.
"I had no idea I was up for this award," Rencher said. "It was at Monday practice, and I was just getting my mind right and (Swinney) was describing the award, all the names and stories that went with each year's award.