Clemson Football’s 2025 Tight Ends: Replacing Jake Briningstool and Fueling Offensive GrowthAs Clemson football gears up for the 2025 season, the departure of star tight end Jake Briningstool to the NFL marks a significant transition for the Tigers’ offense. Briningstool, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft, leaves behind a legacy as Clemson’s all-time leader in career receptions by a tight end (127), with 1,380 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns over his four-year career. His record-setting performance, including a 2023 game against Miami where he racked up 126 receiving yards, set a high bar for the position. With Briningstool’s exit, the question looms: who will step up to fill the void at tight end, and how will this position group contribute to an offense poised for significant strides in 2025 with the return of quarterback Cade Klubnik?The Loss of Jake BriningstoolJake Briningstool’s impact on Clemson’s offense was undeniable. A two-time All-ACC selection, he was a matchup nightmare at 6’6” and 241 pounds, using his height and route-running finesse to exploit defenses, particularly in the red zone and on seam routes. His 2024 season saw him haul in 49 receptions for 530 yards and seven touchdowns, cementing his status as one of the ACC’s premier tight ends. However, his lean frame and inconsistent run-blocking limited his role as an in-line tight end, making him more of a big slot receiver or flex option. His departure leaves a gap of 530 receiving yards and a leadership presence that will need to be filled by a combination of returning talent and new faces.
The Next in Line: Olsen Patt-HenryThe frontrunner to replace Briningstool as Clemson’s starting tight end in 2025 is junior Olsen Patt-Henry. A 6’3”, 240-pound tight end, Patt-Henry has already shown promise as a reliable backup, catching nine passes for 121 yards and three touchdowns in 2024, with a standout performance against Virginia where he recorded 51 yards and two scores. While his receiving numbers pale in comparison to Briningstool’s, Patt-Henry’s edge lies in his blocking ability, an area where Briningstool struggled. According to Pro Football Focus, Patt-Henry led all Clemson tight ends in run-blocking grades last season, earning praise from offensive coordinator Garrett Riley for his growth in this facet. “Olsen’s really come on,” Riley noted in September 2024. “His role is just continuing to grow, and he’s attacked it.”Patt-Henry’s development as a blocker aligns well with Clemson’s offensive evolution under Riley, which emphasizes a balanced attack. With a loaded wide receiver corps, including stars like Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr., Clemson’s offense may not need a tight end to replicate Briningstool’s receiving output. Instead, Patt-Henry’s ability to seal edges in the run game and contribute as a situational pass-catcher makes him a strong fit as the TE1. His willingness to do the “little things,” as Riley described, positions him as a key piece in an offense expected to take major strides in 2025.Depth at Tight EndBeyond Patt-Henry, Clemson’s tight end room boasts a mix of returning players and emerging talent, ensuring depth despite Briningstool’s departure. Here’s a look at the key players expected to contribute in 2025:
- Josh Sapp (Redshirt Junior): At 6’1” and 235 pounds, Sapp is a pass-catching specialist who has shown flashes of potential but lacks the physicality of Patt-Henry in the run game. In limited action, Sapp has impressed with his hands and route-running, making him a candidate for a complementary role in two-tight-end sets. If he can improve his blocking, he could form a dynamic duo with Patt-Henry, offering Clemson versatility in the passing game.
- Banks Pope (Redshirt Senior): A former walk-on, Pope is a 6’4”, 250-pound bruiser who excels as a run-block specialist. While he saw minimal offensive snaps in 2024 (31), his performance in the 2024 spring game turned heads, suggesting he could play a situational role akin to former Clemson tight end Cannon Smith. Pope’s size and physicality make him an ideal in-line option for short-yardage situations.
- Christian Bentancur (Redshirt Freshman): Coming off a redshirt year, Bentancur is a wildcard in the tight end room. A 6’4”, 240-pound prospect, he was a highly touted recruit with a blend of receiving and blocking skills. While he has yet to see significant game action, his development during the 2024 season indicates he could compete for snaps in 2025, especially if he capitalizes on spring and fall practices.
- Logan Brooking (Freshman): The lone true freshman in the group, Brooking brings raw athleticism and a 6’4”, 230-pound frame to the table. As a high school standout, he showed promise as a dual-threat tight end, but he is likely to spend 2025 developing behind more experienced players. His long-term potential adds depth to a position group with a strong foundation.
New Faces and Recruiting : Clemson’s tight end pipeline remains robust, thanks to head coach Dabo Swinney’s track record of developing elite talent at the position, from Dwayne Allen to Jordan Leggett to Davis Allen. While no high-profile tight end recruits are slated to join the 2025 roster beyond Brooking, the existing scholarship players provide enough depth to maintain continuity. Swinney and Riley will likely lean on their recruiting prowess to bolster the position in future cycles, targeting versatile athletes who fit Riley’s Air Raid-inspired scheme, which emphasizes tight ends as matchup weapons in the passing game.
Offensive Outlook: with Cade Klubnik Clemson’s offense is poised for a breakout year in 2025, driven by the return of quarterback Cade Klubnik, who showed significant growth in 2024. Klubnik’s ability to read defenses and deliver accurate passes will be critical for the tight end group, particularly for Patt-Henry, who has already developed chemistry with the junior signal-caller. In 2024, Klubnik connected with Briningstool for a career-high 49 receptions, and Patt-Henry’s similar role as a safety valve in the middle of the field should allow him to capitalize on Klubnik’s progression.The Tigers’ offense, which returns four starting offensive linemen and a talented receiving corps, is expected to take “huge strides” in 2025, as Riley’s system continues to evolve. The tight end position, while not the focal point of the passing game, will play a crucial role in creating mismatches and supporting the run game. With Patt-Henry’s blocking prowess and the depth provided by Sapp, Pope, Bentancur, and Brooking, Clemson has the pieces to maintain production at the position, even without Briningstool’s elite receiving ability.
Challenges and Expectations: The biggest challenge for Clemson’s 2025 tight ends will be replacing Briningstool’s red-zone presence and ability to stretch the field vertically. Patt-Henry and Sapp will need to refine their route-running to create separation against man coverage, an area where Briningstool excelled despite occasional drops. Additionally, the group must continue to improve in run-blocking to support a rushing attack led by a new starting running back following Phil Mafah’s departure.Expectations remain high, however, given Clemson’s history of producing NFL-caliber tightneds and Riley’s creative play-calling. Patt-Henry is likely to emerge as a reliable starter, with Sapp and Pope providing situational contributions. Bentancur and Brooking represent the future, ensuring the position remains a strength for years to come.ConclusionWhile Jake Briningstool’s departure to the NFL leaves big shoes to fill, Clemson’s 2025 tight end group is well-equipped to keep the position productive. Olsen Patt-Henry leads the way as the likely starter, bringing superior blocking and growing receiving skills to an offense expected to soar with Cade Klubnik at the helm. With depth from Josh Sapp, Banks Pope, Christian Bentancur, and freshman Logan Brooking, the Tigers have the talent and versatility to maintain their tradition of excellence at tight end. As Clemson’s offense takes strides in 2025, the tight end room will play a pivotal role in balancing the attack and pushing the Tigers toward championship contention.
