Clemson’s 2025 Tight Ends: Stepping Up to Fill Jake Briningstool’s Shoes
As Clemson gears up for the 2025 football season, the departure of star tight end Jake Briningstool to the NFL leaves a significant void in the Tigers’ offense. Briningstool, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, exited Clemson as the program’s all-time leader in receptions by a tight end with 127 catches, 1,380 yards, and 17 touchdowns. His versatility, reliability, and chemistry with quarterback Cade Klubnik made him a cornerstone of the offense. Now, the tight end room—under the guidance of coach Kyle Richardson—faces the challenge of replacing his production while integrating with a talented group of skill players at wide receiver and running back to support Klubnik’s senior campaign. With a mix of veterans, emerging talents, and a unique addition in former basketball star Ian Schieffelin, the 2025 tight end group is poised for a pivotal year.The Tight End Room: A Blend of Experience and PotentialClemson’s tight end position is undergoing a transition, but the depth chart is far from barren. The group includes junior Olsen Patt-Henry, redshirt junior Josh Sapp, redshirt freshman Christian Bentancur, redshirt sophomore Markus Dixon, freshman Logan Brooking, and the intriguing addition of Ian Schieffelin. Each player brings a unique skill set, and their collective development will be critical to maintaining the position’s productivity within offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s system.
Olsen Patt-Henry: The Frontrunner
Olsen Patt-Henry, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior from Naples, Fla., is the leading candidate to replace Briningstool as the primary tight end. In 2024, Patt-Henry played 294 offensive snaps, catching nine passes for 121 yards and three touchdowns, including a standout two-touchdown performance against Virginia. His growth as a blocker has been a point of emphasis, earning praise from Riley for his willingness to do the “little things.” Patt-Henry’s ability to seal edges in the run game and serve as a reliable target in the passing game positions him as a key piece for 2025.Despite missing spring practice due to a shoulder injury, Patt-Henry is expected to be fully healthy for the season opener against LSU on August 30. Coach Richardson expressed confidence in his recovery during an August 5 post-practice interview, stating, “Olsen’s back and ready to go. He’s been eager to get on the field, and you can see the hunger in how he’s attacking practice. His physicality is going to set the tone for this group.” Patt-Henry’s chemistry with Klubnik, developed through shared reps in 2024, will be crucial as he aims to expand his role as a pass-catcher while continuing to anchor the run game.
Josh Sapp: The Veteran Presence
Redshirt junior Josh Sapp, a Greenville, S.C. native, brings the most experience to the room. At 6-foot-1, 235 pounds, Sapp has recorded 13 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns across 28 career games, including one start. While he’s primarily a pass-catching specialist, his limited physicality in the run game has kept him behind Patt-Henry on the depth chart. However, his experience and understanding of the offense make him a valuable situational contributor.In an August 5 post-practice interview, Sapp emphasized his role in mentoring younger players: “I’ve been in this system a while, so I’m trying to help the younger guys like Christian and Logan understand the playbook and how to prepare like Jake did. It’s about consistency every day.” Sapp’s leadership will be critical as he competes for snaps and aims to refine his route-running to create separation against man coverage, an area where Briningstool excelled.
Christian Bentancur: The High-Upside Prospect
Redshirt freshman Christian Bentancur, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound former four-star recruit from Lakemoor, Ill., is a name to watch in 2025. Ranked as the No. 3 tight end in the 2023 class by ESPN, Bentancur redshirted in 2024, appearing in six games with one catch for seven yards. His combination of size, athleticism, and intelligence has coaches optimistic about his potential to take a significant step forward.Coach Richardson highlighted Bentancur’s development in an August 5 interview: “Christian’s got all the tools—size, smarts, and a great work ethic. You correct something with him, and it’s fixed by the next rep. He’s ready to make a jump this year.” Bentancur’s ability to emerge as a reliable target could add another dimension to Clemson’s passing game, especially with Klubnik’s growing comfort in Riley’s system. If Bentancur takes the “obvious next step,” as noted by The Clemson Insider, he could become a matchup nightmare for defenses, complementing the Tigers’ talented wide receiver corps.
Logan Brooking: The Freshman Future
Freshman Logan Brooking represents the future of the position. While specific details on his contributions are limited, his inclusion on the roster signals Clemson’s commitment to building depth with young talent. Brooking is unlikely to see significant snaps in 2025, but his development under Richardson’s coaching will be critical for the program’s long-term success at tight end.
Ian Schieffelin: The Basketball Star’s Transition
Perhaps the most intriguing addition to the tight end room is Ian Schieffelin, a 6-foot-8, 265-pound senior who joined the football team after a standout basketball career at Clemson. A second-team All-ACC forward in 2024-25, Schieffelin averaged 12.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game for the Tigers’ basketball team. His decision to try football, announced in May 2025, brings a unique athletic profile to the position. Schieffelin played quarterback and tight end at Grayson High School through his sophomore year, giving him some football experience, but his transition to college football is a work in progress.Coach Dabo Swinney expressed excitement about Schieffelin’s potential during an August 5 post-practice interview: “Chef’s been a blast to have out here. His athleticism is obvious, and he’s picking things up fast. We’re not expecting him to be Jake Briningstool overnight, but he’s going to make some plays for us.” Richardson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Schieffelin’s mindset: “From a football standpoint, we’re still learning what he can do, but his size and athleticism are undeniable. He’s got the right mentality to blend in and compete.”
Schieffelin’s role in 2025 is likely to be situational, leveraging his height and ball skills in red-zone and jump-ball scenarios. His ability to high-point passes against smaller defenders, honed on the basketball court, could make him a unique weapon. However, his blocking and grasp of the playbook will need refinement, as Swinney humorously noted: “I’m looking forward to seeing if he’ll actually block somebody.” If Schieffelin adapts quickly, he could add a new dimension to Clemson’s offense, particularly in the red zone.
Kyle Richardson’s Role in 2025
Tight ends coach Kyle Richardson, entering his fourth season in the role, faces the task of molding this group into a cohesive unit capable of complementing Clemson’s dynamic skill players. Since taking over in 2022, Richardson has overseen three of Clemson’s most productive tight end seasons, with the position group combining for at least 60 catches, 650 yards, and seven touchdowns annually. His ability to develop players like Briningstool into NFL-caliber talents underscores his coaching prowess, but 2025 presents a new challenge with a less experienced group.
Richardson’s philosophy emphasizes versatility and consistency, as seen in his work with Briningstool, who credited him for instilling a focus on daily consistency. In an August 5 interview, Richardson outlined his approach for 2025: “We’ve got a lot of talent in this room, but it’s about getting everyone on the same page. We’re working on building trust with Cade and making sure our guys are ready to contribute in the pass game and the run game. It’s about meshing with the receivers and backs to give defenses problems.”
Richardson’s challenge is to integrate the tight ends with Clemson’s loaded skill group, including wide receivers Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., and T.J. Moore, and a running back room featuring Adam Randall, Jay Haynes, and freshmen like Gideon Davidson. The tight ends must create mismatches in the passing game while supporting a run game that lost Phil Mafah. Patt-Henry’s blocking prowess and Bentancur’s potential as a pass-catcher will be critical, while Schieffelin’s unique skill set could add a wild card element.Meshing with Cade Klubnik and the OffenseCade Klubnik, entering his third year as Clemson’s starting quarterback, is poised for a breakout season after throwing for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2024. His chemistry with the tight ends, developed through years of working with Briningstool, will be vital for the group’s success. During the ACC Kickoff, Klubnik expressed confidence in the tight end room: “We’ve got a really, really good tight end room. Olsen, Christian, Josh, Ian—they’re awesome, probably one of the most fun rooms we have. Jake left them in good hands with his work ethic, and they’re carrying that forward.”
Klubnik’s ability to distribute the ball to a talented receiving corps and a versatile tight end group will be key to Clemson’s offensive growth. Riley’s system, which ranked 11th nationally in total offense in 2024, relies on tight ends to create mismatches and support the run game. Patt-Henry and Sapp must continue to develop as reliable targets, while Bentancur’s emergence could stretch defenses vertically. Schieffelin’s potential as a red-zone threat adds another layer, giving Klubnik a diverse set of weapons.
The Importance of Stepping Up
The tight end position’s success in 2025 hinges on several factors. Patt-Henry and Sapp must build on their 2024 contributions, with Patt-Henry solidifying his role as TE1 and Sapp providing veteran stability. Bentancur’s development is critical, as his size and athleticism could make him a game-changer in the passing game. Schieffelin’s transition, while uncertain, could yield significant rewards if he adapts to the physicality and complexity of college football. Richardson’s ability to blend these players into a cohesive unit will determine how effectively they complement Clemson’s skill groups and elevate Klubnik’s performance.
Clemson’s 2025 tight end room faces the daunting task of replacing Jake Briningstool’s record-setting production, but the group’s depth and potential offer reason for optimism. Olsen Patt-Henry’s leadership, Josh Sapp’s experience, Christian Bentancur’s upside, Markus Dixon’s development, Logan Brooking’s future potential, and Ian Schieffelin’s unique athleticism give coach Kyle Richardson a versatile group to work with.
By fostering consistency, building chemistry with Cade Klubnik, and integrating with the Tigers’ talented skill players, this tight end unit can keep the position a strength for Clemson in 2025. As Richardson told reporters on August 5, “We’re not trying to be Jake—we’re trying to be the best version of this group. And I think we’ve got the pieces to make that happen.” With the season opener against LSU looming, the tight ends are ready to step up and prove they can fill Briningstool’s shoes while adding their own flair to Clemson’s high-powered offense.
