Briningstool Ready to Showcase ‘Unique’ Skill Set at Senior Bowl
By: Gavin Oliver February 1, 2025

Clemson tight end Jake Briningstool has enjoyed his week at the 2025 Senior Bowl, which will showcase him and other top college football players during Saturday’s game at the University of South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama (2:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network).

But what about the Senior Bowl experience has stood out the most to the talented NFL Draft prospect?

Briningstool, the only Clemson player at this year’s Senior Bowl, spoke about that and more during an interview at the Senior Bowl with Tennessee Titans Director of Broadcasting Amie Wells.

“I think the biggest thing for me, I’ve just enjoyed being around other elite players,” Briningstool said. “The talent on this roster I think is incredible. A lot of dudes I played against during the season and a lot of new guys, so just getting to meet them as we go throughout the same process. But just excited to build relationships with them.”

The Senior Bowl, a prestigious college football all-star game for top NFL prospects who have completed their college eligibility, is the first stage in the NFL Draft process and has taken place in Mobile, Alabama the past 76 years. According to the official Senior Bowl website, more than 900 NFL personnel across all 32 teams were credentialed this year, and this past April, the game produced 110 total picks – representing 43 percent of the entire NFL draft.

Briningstool offers what has been described as a “unique” tight end skill set, and he’s looking to put that on display for the likes of NFL coaches, GMs and scouts.

“I think ‘unique’ is a really good word,” Briningstool said. “I think I bring a lot to the table in terms of the run and the pass game. I think I can make a difference in both. But obviously I feel like my strength is in the pass game, creating separation, creating mismatches outside, and I’m ready to go prove that.”

The 6-foot-6, 240-pounder believes his skills would translate well into any NFL offense.

“I think it fits in anywhere,” he said. “I’m open to learning new things. I just want to be able to compete, do my best day in and day out, and wherever that is, God has a plan for me, so I’m trusting that.”

Briningstool, Clemson’s all-time leader in career receptions by a tight end (127), credited the Tigers’ coaching staff for the work they did with him during his college career.

“I think it just goes to the coaching that I received at Clemson,” he said. “I think they did a really good job installing the entire concept, installing how I fit into the entire offense more so than just what the tight end was doing on a specific play. So, I think just numerous reps at Clemson kind of just gave me the opportunity to be able to get a good feel for the game, get a good feel for coverages and kind of be able to sit down in the soft spots and be a safety valve for the quarterbacks.”

Briningstool wrapped up his Clemson career (2021-24) with 127 receptions for 1,380 yards and 17 touchdowns over 48 career games (26 starts). The two-time All-ACC selection finished second in school history in receiving touchdowns and receiving yards, while he finished his career tied for the seventh-most receptions by a tight end in ACC history. His three career 100-yard receiving games were a Clemson tight end record.

With the Senior Bowl opportunity, Briningstool hopes to boost his stock ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft while showing off what he can bring to the table at the next level.

“I think the tight end position is a tough position to play,” he said. “You’ve got to be as smart as the quarterback. You’ve got to know pretty much everything that’s going on. But I think me, I’m built to be a tight end. Like you said, I have a unique skill set. I bring a lot to the table, and I’ve also received great coaching along the way. So, I’m just ready to put that on full display, and I’m ready.”

A native of Brentwood, Tenn., and product of Ravenwood High School, Briningstool admitted it would be “pretty sweet” to get selected by the hometown Titans in April’s draft, though he’s “looking forward to whatever team God has in store” for him.

“My parents still live in Brentwood, so that was my favorite team growing up,” he said. “I went to Titans games at Nissan Stadium, so it’d be pretty cool.”

–Photo courtesy Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images