CLEMSON –  When you think of Clemson’s offensive playmakers on the 2026 team, your mind may jump to think of Bryant Wesco Jr, T.J. Moore or Tyler Brown– wide receivers poised to have big seasons for the Tigers.

Maybe instead you think of Gideon Davidson or Chris Johnson Jr., two running backs with different strengths who are set to lead Clemson’s run game. Or perhaps you think of Christopher Vizzina and Tait Reynolds, the two quarterbacks battling it out for the starting job in September.

Chad Morris, the Tigers’ offensive coordinator, however, believes that a significant portion of the playmaking ability on his team comes in the tight end room, with players like Olsen Patt-Henry, Christian Bentancur and Logan Brooking.

And the Tigers’ new assistant is determined to make sure those players are utilized.

Last season, Clemson’s tight ends caught just over 50 passes, making up about 16 percent of the total receptions by Tiger players. While the tight ends did not get nearly as many opportunities in the passing game as any of the prominent wide receivers, they were still highly influential when they got chances.

Bentancur scored touchdowns on three of his 20 catches last year, meaning that he scored more times per catch of any player besides Wesco on the team. Though Patt-Henry did not score last season, one third of his receptions in 2024 resulted in touchdowns, a team-high by far. 

Additionally, very few of these touchdowns were easy plays from either player. It was not like former Tigers’ quarterback Cade Klubnik just happened to find Bentancur wide open in the back of the end zone. Instead, Bentancur plowed through defenders to fight for the touchdowns, showing off his athleticism. Similarly, Patt-Henry broke multiple tackles on most of his big catches or caught passes that seemed impossible.

While Brooking was redshirting last year and could not add to the tight end touchdown party, head coach Dabo Swinney called him a “special young talent” that could also help the Tigers this year.

Contrary to the limited use of tight ends last year, in Morris’ first season at Clemson from 2011-14, tight end Dwayne Allen caught 50 passes, nearly single-handedly tying the percentage of all tight end receptions last season.

It was not like Allen was the only weapon Clemson had either. He was playing alongside legendary wide receivers Sammy Watkins and Deandre Hopkins at that time and still was dominant. 

That season, Allen won the Mackey Award–given to the nation’s best tight end–after finishing with 598 receiving yards and a school-record eight touchdowns. Allen was named a first-team All-American and went on to a seven-year NFL career.

One season later, tight end Brandon Ford became a first-team All-ACC honoree after catching 40 passes for 480 yards and eight touchdowns.

What does this tell us?

Chad Morris is not afraid to utilize his tight ends, especially when he sees talent and playmaking ability. Before Allen’s junior season, he received no preseason All-American nods– no Mackey Award Watch List honors. Still, with the help of an offensive architect that believed in him, he went on to be a key contributor in the Tigers’ offense.

Now, with the current tight ends room, Morris is in a similar situation. Patt-Henry or Bentancur are not being talked about by the national media as top tight ends in the nation. However, Morris sees similarities between Patt-Henry and Allen–similarities that could have huge impacts on offensive schemes.

“I firmly believe Olsen has a chance to be very special in this offense,” Morris said. “He is very versatile. He can put his hand on the ground, set a point, and obviously step off the ball and be able to motion around and adjust to how people are going to play him.

“From just what I have seen last year, and obviously, his body size right now and Dwayne was probably a little bit thicker than him, I think he is every bit as talented.” Morris added.

Throughout spring practice, with Patt-Henry recovering from a knee injury, Morris said it was taking the other tight ends some time to adjust to all that was being asked of them in the new offense. With the change, they are set to get many more opportunities. 

The tight ends and the Tigers will get their first shot on Sept. 5, when Clemson open its season in Baton Rouge, La., against LSU.