Clemson Football Spring Game Primer: Tight End

Dec 29, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA; DUPLICATE***Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Craig McDonald (27) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson Tigers tight end Davis Allen (84) in the second half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA; DUPLICATE***Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Craig McDonald (27) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson Tigers tight end Davis Allen (84) in the second half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Clemson football continues spring practice in preparation for the spring game coming up next month.  Here’s a look at the tight ends, a position group that many fans feel has not contributed much in the last few seasons.

When: April 9 at 1 PM, Clemson Memorial Stadium

Position Coach: Kyle Richardson – Richardson was promoted from the support staff as the Passing Game Coordinator and Tight Ends coach. The bulk of his career has been spent at the high school level where he was praised for his offensive approach. His most famous pupil is Mason Rudolph, who played for Oklahoma State and is now in the NFL. While his most important contribution to the offense will likely be his role in shaping the passing game, he will directly supervise the tight ends.

Who is playing: Jake Briningstool (SO), Luke Price (+SR)

Who isn’t playing: Davis Allen (SR), Sage Ennis (SO-RS), Josh Sapp (FR)

What we can expect for the spring game: Briningstool will start for one team, and likely Price will start for the other side. Along the way we will see several walk-ons contribute. Price is a team-player who is willing to do whatever the coaches ask of him, but Briningstool is the guy that everyone is hoping can develop into an offensive weapon. The spring game will be his chance to shine.

What we can expect for next season: Allen established himself as the best option in the tight end room in 2021, taking the starting job during the season. He is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2022 schedule, but the back-up position is up for grabs. Briningstool was the highest rated tight end in the Class of 2021. Clemson’s staff hopes he will use his chance to take starting snaps in the spring to assert himself. Briningstool has been dinged up a bit during spring practices, but most indications suggest he should be good to go for the spring game. The staff also likes Ennis, and he earned more playing time last year as the season progressed.

The tight end position hasn’t been a major focus of the Tiger’s offense since Jordan Leggett departed after the 2016 championship game. If there is a chance for it to become an important component again, we will see it in the next two seasons with Richardson molding the passing game and two of the best receiving tight ends that we have seen in the last five seasons in Allen and Briningstool.

Schedule

Schedule