CLEMSON – Sometimes football can be cruel.

Final second losses, dropped passes that would have won a game, and injuries to sideline superstars all change the nature of a team or player’s mentality. 

But there might have been nothing more cruel for Clemson football last year than when Brayden Jacobs’ prolific freshman campaign was cut short after he suffered a season-ending foot injury while celebrating a win with his teammates.

“That was kind of crazy,” head coach Swinney said of Jacobs’ injury, sustained after a 20-19 win over Louisville. “I think he just jumped up in jubilation or something, and kind of came down awkward. I didn’t really see it, but that’s what he said. Unfortunately, it’s just enough of an injury that’s going to put him out for the remainder of the season.”

Before the celebration-turned-nightmare, Jacobs was stacking an impressive freshman season, making four starts in 10 appearances as both left tackle and left guard. Across 368 offensive snaps, Jacobs was second only to NFL Draft first-rounder Blake Miller in Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) grades for Tigers offensive linemen, and the only true freshman to start a game in the regular season.

With one jump, his momentum was cut short with three games still to play, and due to injuries sustained to other linemen, they would have probably all been starts for Jacobs. Now, with several veteran linemen exiting the program after last season, Clemson will need their freshman phenom healthy ahead of a 2026 campaign.

According to Swinney, the 6-foot-7 lineman was on the right track, “doing great” ahead of this year’s spring practices in March, “ramping up” to full-speed with the help of Clemson’s training staff.

Above all, Jacobs was just happy to be back with his teammates, after watching Clemson finish 2-1 with a Pinstripe Bowl loss in his absence to conclude a disappointing 7-6 campaign in 2025.

“Especially coming off of my foot last season, I finally get to go back out there and just play with all my brothers and it just feels wonderful to be back out there with all of them,” Jacobs said after a practice.

“I feel great,” the 355-pounder continued. “I mean, I’m still battling back obviously, but I’m doing more and more each day and I can’t wait to obviously get to the spring game and get to the season with my guys.”

Now, not only will Jacobs need to be healthy to give Clemson’s younger team a chance to win in 2026, he will also need to step into a leadership role in the room, with several inexperienced players being projected on the Tigers’ depth chart.

While ramping up himself, the rising sophomore was able to pour into other underclassmen in the spring.

“I’ve definitely had to take more of a leader role considering the four seniors we lost on the O-line last year,” Jacobs said. “Especially since I’m the O-lineman now besides Harris (Sewell) and Colin Sadler with the most experience. I mean, it’s just I’ve had to take on this huge leader role, which normally that’s not like it’s a little out of my comfort zone, but I’ve been trying to get better and be more vocal about what’s right and what’s wrong.”

That vocal leader role was evident at Clemson’s Orange & White Spring Game in late March, when Jacobs made a start for the Orange team, the eventual winner. As both the White and Orange teams ran out, Jacobs could be seen celebrating his offensive line teammates on both sides– this time, without sustaining an injury.

While the majority of Clemson’s offensive line, along with its quarterback, running back, and several other positions will enter the 2026 year unproven, Brayden Jacobs has already shown what his healthy presence– his size and strength– can do for the Tigers.

As the Tigers head to Baton Rouge, La., to take on LSU in a season-opener, Jacobs may be tasked with facing off against former Clemson defensive tackle Stephiylan Green, if he continues at left guard, or another potent LSU defender.

No matter who Jacobs faces in game No. 1 or No. 12, his impact will be crucial for Clemson this season. Clemson fans can hope, however, that his celebration routine is more muted after Tiger wins in 2026.