Hunter Rayburn stepping away from football at Clemson

Clemson offensive lineman Hunter Rayburn is done with football in Tiger Town due to a lingering neck condition. The news was first reported by Larry Williams. Clemson SID Ross Taylor has confirmed the situation and it appears that Rayburn will transition to a role as a student assistant. 

Rayburn would have been a redshirt junior this season and should have competed to be the starting center, but is now going to be stepping away from football.

Hear Swanny’s thoughts on the situation as the news broke today during Clemson Sports Talk’s two-hour radio show.

Stats to know:

Rayburn played 603 career snaps over 19 games with six starts from 2019-21, starting each of his final five games with the Tigers … transitioned to a student coaching role in the 2022 offseason after being medically disqualified with neck/stinger issues.

2021: Became a key interior piece of Clemson’s offensive line down the stretch as he played 506 snaps over nine games with six starts … played 21 snaps vs. SC State as Clemson exceeded both 200 rushing yards and 200 passing yards … played 11 snaps at NC State … made his first career start and played 68 snaps in helping power Clemson to 231 rushing yards and 207 passing yards vs. Boston College … played 62 snaps and helped pave the way for Will Shipley’s 128 rushing yards in a comeback win vs. Florida State … played all 70 snaps at Louisville as Clemson recorded a fourth-quarter comeback win in back-to-back weeks for the first time since 1974 … played 67 of Clemson’s 100 plays in helping the Tigers exceed 300 passing yards vs. UConn … played 69 snaps vs. No. 13 Wake Forest as Clemson’s offensive line shared team offensive players of the game honors with Kobe Pace after the Tigers produced season highs in total yards (543) and rushing yards (333) while allowing zero sacks … played 64 snaps at South Carolina in helping Clemson both exceed 250 rushing yards and allow zero sacks in a second straight game.

2020: Played 57 snaps over six games … made season debut vs. The Citadel, playing 11 snaps in Clemson’s shutout win … played six snaps vs. No. 7 Miami … played 30 snaps at Georgia Tech … played eight snaps vs. Pitt … played one snap at Virginia Tech and in ACC Championship Game vs. No. 2 Notre Dame.

2019: Played 40 snaps over four games while redshirting … played 10 snaps in collegiate debut vs. Georgia Tech … played nine snaps vs. Charlotte … played 14 snaps vs. Boston College … played seven snaps vs. Wofford … ACC Honor Roll selection.

Before Clemson: Four-star prospect by ESPN.com who is ranked as 18th-best offensive guard in the nation … 247Sports ranked him as 27th-best offensive guard … played his first three years of high school football at West Florida Tech … played on varsity as an offensive tackle at the end of 2015 season, then started in 2016 and 2017 … team reached second round of the state playoffs in 2016 and Final Four in 2017 … also played baseball as a pitcher and first baseman at West Florida Tech … transferred to Pensacola High School for his senior year and played baseball in spring of 2018 and football in the fall … named to the all-area team on the gridiron … played in all-area All-Star game on Dec. 14, 2018 … played his senior year of high school football at Pensacola High for Mike Mincy … brother plays college baseball at Coastal Alabama … won Pensacola High FCA Award for 2018 … named to National Honor Society … primary Clemson recruiters were Jeff Scott and Robbie Caldwell … committed to Clemson on June 11, 2018 … enrolled at Clemson in January 2019.

Personal: Born Dec. 6, 2000 … construction science and management major.