CLEMSON — Following Clemson’s win over Kentucky in the Gator Bowl, Jake Briningstool felt the tight end room was as good and as deep as it ever has been during his time in Tigertown.
Clemson’s veteran tight end, who is considered to be one of the best tight ends in the country for 2024, says Josh Sapp, Olson Patt-Henry and Markus Dixon are all talented players who are ready to take the next step in their development. They will take that next step when the Tigers begin spring practice on Feb. 28.
“I have known ever since these guys have been here that they are ballers, they are playmakers,” Briningstool said.
Sapp and Olsen Patt-Henry got pressed into more action late in 2023 after Sage Ennis, who has since transferred, tore his ACL early in Clemson’s win over Georgia Tech last November.
“I knew they could get the job done,” Briningstool said.
Sapp caught a touchdown pass against Georgia Tech and had a key two-point conversion in the Gator Bowl. Olsen Patt-Henry had a 25-yard catch-and-run in the Gator Bowl.
“Now is just a coming out party for everyone else to see what we already knew in our room. We got a great room. We have a bunch of great players,” Briningstool said.
It all starts with Briningstool.
In the Gator Bowl, he led Clemson with nine receptions for 91 yards. His nine receptions tied the Clemson single-game school record for receptions by a tight end, matching John McMakin (vs. Florida State in 1970) and Brandon Ford (vs. LSU in 2012).
Briningstool finished the 2023 season by tying Dwayne Allen’s single-season record for catches by a tight end with 50. His 498 yards were a career high, the most yards by a Clemson tight end since Jordan Leggett had 736 yards in 2016.
He also had a team-best five touchdown receptions.
“Everybody in the room has really come together and is believing in our unit,” Briningstool said. “That is what it really comes down to. I think we have the best tight end room in the country, and I think it showed today.”
Jake Briningstool, 6-6, 230, Sr. – The senior enters 2024 having caught 78 career passes for 850 yards and 10 touchdowns in 35 games, including 13 starts. He is the seventh tight end in Clemson history to record 10 touchdown receptions in a career, joining Leggett, McMakin, Allen, Ford, Davis Allen and Bennie Cunningham. His 126 receiving yards at Miami last season were the most by a Clemson tight end in a single game in school history.
Josh Sapp, 6-1, 235, *So. – Had seven receptions for 60 yards and two touchdowns while playing in all 13 games last season. He was used primarily as a blocking tight end last year. Should become more involved in the passing game this coming season.
Olsen Patt-Henry, 6-3, 240, So. – After Ennis went out, the sophomore took advantage of his opportunity. He did not play perfectly, but he showed off his potential while getting significant playing time against South Carolina and Kentucky. He played in six games overall and caught three passes for 42 yards.
Markus Dixon, 6-4, 245, Fr. – The coaches really like Dixon’s potential. Redshirted last season in hopes of getting a little bigger and stronger, while also getting a better grasp of the offense. He did get to play in two games last year and contributed on special teams.
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