Clemson true freshman left tackle Brayden Jacobs played early and often in Saturday’s 41-10 win at Boston College – and Jacobs played well.

Following the game, Swinney said starting left tackle Tristan Leigh was battling an ankle injury and didn’t practice much this past week, which is why Jacobs played so much against BC.

“Tristan didn’t practice much this week,” Swinney said. “He’d been battling a little bit of an ankle, so he didn’t practice a whole lot. But I was so proud of Brayden – because I didn’t notice him. That’s a good thing. He played most of the whole game, and I didn’t really notice him.”

Leigh started against Boston College before being replaced by Jacobs at left tackle on Clemson’s second offensive drive of the game.  

“Tristan was trying to go [vs. BC], but like I said, he was very limited at practice this week, in working his way back,” Swinney said. “He felt like he could go, but early on, I think he realized that he just didn’t quite have it like he wanted. So, we threw Brayden in there early.”

Jacobs enrolled at Clemson in January, and Swinney has said in the past that the former unanimous four-star prospect is “as good a lineman as we’ve ever signed here.”

Jacobs, who was ranked as the nation’s No. 55 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class by 247Sports, had plenty of college options but chose Clemson over LSU, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina, among many others.

Jacobs is the son of Brandon Jacobs, who played at Auburn and Southern Illinois before a nine-year NFL career in which he amassed more than 5,000 rushing yards. Brandon spent the majority of his career with the New York Giants, where he was a two-time Super Bowl champion and is the Giants all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns.

Jacobs made his collegiate debut in Clemson’s season opener against LSU and played one snap in that contest. He played five snaps vs. Troy, two snaps vs. Syracuse and 21 snaps at North Carolina, before seeing a lot more action against Boston College.

“I’m really proud of Brayden. He grew up tonight. He needed a game like that,” Swinney said. “He’s had a couple of instances where he’s kind of gotten thrown in there, and it’s fast. But to see him play like that was awesome.

“So, really proud of Brayden. He did a heck of a job. Can’t wait to watch the tape. He’s a big, big, big man, and he’s a big edge to get around out there. Brings a lot of length for us. So, it was a good game for a freshman on the road, having to step up like that.”

–Photo courtesy of Eric Canha-Imagn Images