Chad Morris returning to run Clemson’s offense could prove to be very beneficial for the tight ends.

During his re-introductory press conference back in late January, Morris described his scheme as a “two-back, run-oriented, play-action shot” offense. While some might have assumed that meant two running backs on the field at the same time, those familiar with what Morris did during his first term at Clemson realized that’s not the case at all. The H-back plays an integral role.

That means the tight ends should be a big part of the plan moving forward. In both the running game and the passing game.

With Olsen Patt-Henry back for his senior season and expected to be fully healthy after missing part of the 2025 season with an injury, the Tigers certainly have one player at the position capable of doing his part in helping the offense move the ball on the ground.

Christian Bentancur is now entering his third season, giving Clemson two tight ends with plenty of experience. While Bentancur is looked at by most for what he’s capable of doing in the passing game, he made huge strides in his run blocking as last season went along.

After redshirting last season, Logan Brooking is likely to get some opportunities in the coming season. He’s one that the coaches have been really high on after signing as part of the 2025 class. Tayveon Wilson is a true freshman who enrolls in the summer.

However, it’s Patt-Henry and Bentancur who are likely to receive a bulk of the work. Knowing how the tight ends contributed the first time Morris was calling the plays at Clemson has to have both of those guys feeling good with fall camp rapidly approaching.

“I think we have great talent in there. I think that those guys just do not understand how important they are in what we do,” Morris said, laughing back in the spring. “I shouldn’t say…they understand it, but they just thought it was all talk.

“I think right now, they are understanding, like, ‘holy cow we are heavily involved.’”

There is plenty of evidence to back that up. Morris produced a Mackey Award winner in Dwayne Allen in 2011, his first season calling the plays at Clemson. Allen, who earned All-American honors that season, set a school record for catches (50), yards (598) and TDs (8). His 50 receptions and 8 TDs still stand as Clemson records today.

The very next year, Brandon Ford became a first-team All-ACC performer, as he hauled in 40 passes for 480 yards and, like Allen, he also scored 8 TDs, tying the single-season record.

However, in this offense, it’s all going to start with the running game, and these tight ends are going to have to be sound there if the Tigers are going to have the kind of success they want to have on that side of the ball.

“The tight ends do a lot in this offense. There is a lot,” head coach Dabo Swinney also said back in the spring.

“You are in pass protections more. You are involved in the play action passing game. You are a part of everything.”