Clemson returns a significant chunk of their offensive production from the 2024 season, with tight end being the glaring exception. Last season if the ball was going to a tight end, that tight end’s name was Jake Briningstool.
Jake hauled in 49 receptions (behind only Antonio Williams’s 75 receptions) for 530 yards and 7 touchdowns (again, only behind Antonio’s 11). He was a comfort blanket for Cade on 3rd down and at 6’6”, a primary red zone threat. Briningstool is now trying to claw his way onto the Kansas City Chief’s roster (or more likely, practice squad) and Clemson is set with the task of finding his replacement. There are plenty of options, and replacing Jake’s production 1-for-1 isn’t necessary with the wealth of talent at wide receiver, but Clemson’s offense is always better with a solid tight end.
Olsen Patt-Henry – 6’3”, 240 – Jr. – Naples Florida (First Baptist Academy)
Olsen Patt-Henry (“OPH”) was a borderline high 3* – low 4* recruit in the 2023 recruiting class. He played in six games as a true freshman, collecting 3 receptions for 42 yards including a crucial 25 yard reception in Clemson’s 38-35 Gator Bowl win over Kentucky. Last season he settled into his role as Briningstool’s under-study, appearing in 14 games, bringing in nine receptions for 121 and three touchdowns. He had a breakout performance against Virginia with two receptions for 51 yards and two touchdowns, including a 40-yard strike.
OPH brings something a little different to the tight end position. He’s not a tall redzone target like Davis Allen or Jake Briningstool, but he’s better with the ball in hands than both of them. In high school he was something of a wide receiver / tight end hybrid. High school tight ends usually don’t have two consecutive seasons of 60+ catches for 1,000+ yards, and those…
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Publish date : 2025-08-25 11:11:00
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