Clemson’s Silent Weapons: Don’t Sleep on the Tight End Room

The Clemson Tigers’ offense has been grabbing plenty of offseason headlines—and not all of them have come easy. The wide receivers are back in the spotlight, and deservedly so. They’ve got speed, size, and a handful of players expected to take big steps in 2025. There’s real excitement brewing about their potential to light up the scoreboard and redefine how Clemson attacks defenses. But with all the attention trained on the outside, it’s easy to forget about the guys lined up a little closer to the trenches—the tight ends.

They’re not flashy. They don’t get their names called on deep highlight throws. They’re not making the preseason magazine covers or dominating the buzz from spring practice. And yet, it was a tight end who finished second on the team in receptions a year ago. That fact alone is a quiet reminder: the tight end room at Clemson might like a word.

To ignore them is to overlook one of the most consistent and quietly essential parts of the Tigers’ offensive attack. While everyone is talking about the evolution of the passing game or the development of Cade Klubnik and the vertical threats, Clemson’s tight ends are quietly building on a foundation that’s as solid as any on the roster. This isn’t just a group that blocks and gets out of the way. They produce, they move the chains, and more often than not, they show up when it matters most.

Josh Sapp, a local product and former standout at Greenville High School, is emerging as one of the most versatile tight ends in the ACC. Sapp is that rare blend of size, hands, and football IQ that makes him a mismatch waiting to happen. At 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, he’s not going to tower over safeties, but he makes up for it with sharp route running and a feel for space in zone coverage. His rapport with Klubnik continues to improve, and that’s critical in a passing offense where quick reads and trust matter.

Behind Sapp, the room has depth. Veteran Jake Briningstool has been in the program long enough to know the demands of a long season in the ACC, and his presence brings valuable leadership. Briningstool entered last year with high expectations and, though the production didn’t explode like some hoped, he remained a reliable target in key downs and red zone moments. If he’s able to put it all together in 2025, he’ll be one of the most complete tight ends in the conference.

Then there’s Olsen Patt-Henry, one of the most intriguing underclassmen on the roster. Long, athletic, and still growing into his role, Patt-Henry gives Clemson a developmental piece that could be huge by the time conference play rolls around. His potential is massive—not just as a pass-catcher, but as an all-around contributor who can align in multiple formations.

All this depth—and all this talent—sits just under the surface of the public conversation. That’s partially because of where the energy around Clemson football is focused right now. On the other side of the ball, Tom Allen’s arrival as defensive coordinator has electrified the fanbase. Allen brings swagger, aggressive schemes, and a resume full of production. His defense is expected to be fast, violent, and disruptive. Between that and the receivers’ rise, there just isn’t a lot of oxygen left in the room for the tight ends.

But in football, silence doesn’t mean irrelevance. The quiet parts often matter the most.

When Clemson’s offense bogged down last season, it was the tight ends who often stepped in to provide relief. Short-yardage catches, sealing blocks on perimeter runs, sitting in space for 8-yard gains—they kept the offense moving when the big plays weren’t there. They were the insurance policy, the escape valve, and sometimes, the security blanket.

Briningstool’s chemistry with Klubnik was especially clear on third downs. There were multiple instances in 2024 where a collapsing pocket or a busted route led to a flick over the middle to Briningstool for a first down. That kind of trust doesn’t develop overnight. It’s built in practice, in the film room, and over the grind of a season.

If Clemson’s offense wants to take a leap this fall—and it has to if the Tigers are going to compete for more than just division pride—the tight ends have to remain a part of that blueprint. They don’t need to be the focal point. But they can’t be afterthoughts either.

In Garrett Riley’s system, there’s room for everyone if the balance is right. While his scheme is often associated with tempo and vertical shots, there’s also a clear role for tight ends—especially in two-tight formations that give the quarterback multiple checkdowns and create confusion for linebackers. Riley has used tight ends effectively in the past, and with a room as well-stocked as Clemson’s, it would be a missed opportunity to keep them as second options.

There’s also a blocking dimension to this room that shouldn’t be overlooked. The Tigers’ running game last season flashed real promise but lacked consistent punch. Getting better perimeter blocking from the tight ends is part of the formula to fix that. When Clemson ran behind Sapp or Briningstool last year, the results were noticeably better. They seal edges. They chip ends. They move with power and precision. If the Tigers want to control games on the ground, the tight end room becomes a key part of that identity.

With all the moving parts on the roster this offseason—new defensive system, a reshuffled receiver depth chart, and a quarterback still evolving into a true leader—the value of having a group like the tight ends can’t be overstated. They provide stability, versatility, and a little bit of everything. And when injuries strike, or defenses start doubling outside threats, it’s often the tight ends who get called into the spotlight.

This group doesn’t need hype to be effective. In fact, they’re probably better off without it. They just want to do the work. They want to be the difference between second-and-long and third-and-short. The difference between punting and scoring. The difference between good and great.

That kind of attitude fits perfectly in a program like Clemson—one that, despite the ups and downs of recent seasons, still holds onto its identity as a team built on toughness, character, and execution. The tight ends reflect that ethos in full. They may not get the same love as the wideouts or the same headlines as the rising stars on defense, but they are every bit as important to the Tigers’ future.

If Clemson is going to make noise in the ACC this year, it won’t just be because of big plays down the sideline or new blitz packages under Tom Allen. It’ll be because of the little things—like a tight end finding a soft spot in coverage on third-and-5. Or sealing a linebacker to spring a 20-yard run. Or stepping into a leadership role on a young offense still trying to find its voice.

So let the receivers have the offseason headlines. Let the defense soak in the attention of a new era. The tight end room isn’t worried about hype. They’re focused on being ready when the lights come on. Because when the games get tight, and the margin for error gets small, every great team needs someone who can deliver when no one else can. And more often than not, that someone wears number 81 or 84.

The Tigers might not need their tight ends to lead the way. But rest assured, they’ll be right there—doing the dirty work, catching the clutch passes, and reminding everyone that football isn’t just about flash. Sometimes, it’s about showing up, keeping your head down, and doing your job better than the guy across from you.

That’s the kind of quiet strength Clemson’s tight ends bring. And they’re ready to make some noise of their own.