Jake Briningstool, Clemson: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Briningstool was a four-star recruit from Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn. in the class of 2021

Clemson didn’t run enough of its offense through tight end Jake Briningstool in 2023. The senior should play a larger role in the passing game this coming season. Despite lacking the build to be a significant in-line blocker, Briningstool projects as a top three tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Jake Briningstool, TE Clemson: 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Senior tight end from Brentwood, Tenn.

Background: Briningstool was a four-star recruit from Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn. in the class of 2021. He was the No. 61 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 73 for Rivals, and No. 95 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 74th in the nation with an 86 grade out of 100. Briningstool totaled 39 receptions for 774 yards and 12 touchdowns as a high school senior. He also returned a kick for a touchdown and added 38 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and a forced fumble on defense. Briningstool was a Regional 6-6A Co-MVP in 2020 and earned All-Region honors. He was an All-Region and Second Team All-Mid State selection as a junior when he made 49 receptions for 863 yards and nine touchdowns. As a sophomore, Briningstool caught 25 passes for a touchdown and more than 300 yards. He finished his career with 111 receptions for 1,955 yards and 22 receiving touchdowns. Ravenwood went 30-10 during his three years as a starter and finished as the 6A State Champion runners-up in 2019. Briningstool was invited to the Under Armour All-American Game. His father, Tony, was a linebacker at Michigan State from 1987-1992. Briningstool was born on Dec. 9, 2002.

Injuries & Off-Field: N/A

Awards: 2023 Third Team All-ACC

Pros: Experience lining up in-line, the slot, at H-back, and out wide, tall frame, frame has room to add mass, arm length checks the box, quick release and acceleration, easily stacked Miami’s James Williams out of press coverage (2023), speed to stretch and challenge defenses vertically, stacks linebackers in man coverage consistently, decent hip sink at the top of the stem, flashes of quick out-breaking routes generating separation, separates from linebackers and some safeties on crossing routes, stems slants outside before breaking inside, works back across the corner’s face with a swim, quickly clears the second level in zone coverage, extends open windows vs. zone by slowing speed, rolls with the QB when plays break down, boxes out defenders on red zone posts and slants, concentration at the catch point, gets low to dig passes out of the turf, tracks ball well over his shoulder, appears to have an impressive vertical, high points the ball with reliable hands, comfortable operating in crowded space at the catch point, speed adds YAC upside, drives legs through contact, fakes blocks well before slipping out into routes, willing blocker, sent Tatum Bethune flying on a run block (2023)

Cons: Limited special teams experience and versatility, penalized three times in 2023, one fumble in each of past two seasons, lean frame, some false steps in release, needs to get head around and give QB a target earlier in the play, benefited from free releases, limited reps vs. press coverage, harassed by mid-route contact, successful reps primarily came on a limited route tree, doesn’t generate separation with his breaks consistently, rounded routes don’t help with separation, doesn’t sell the out-an-up well, inconsistent awareness in zones leads to him running into coverage, needs to work back to football to prevent undercutting DBs, some bobbles and double catches, not twitchy or elusive, lacks strength to break tackles consistently, never going to be a positive in-line blocker, poor job sustaining blocks, knocked back or displaced by d-linemen, lacks strength to displace linemen or linebackers, pulled forward and off balance easily when blocking, doesn’t want to thump when pulling for blocks, often removed from game on run plays vs. Miami (2023), caught blocking with a narrow base

Overview: Briningstool has experience lining up in-line, in the slot, at H-back, and out wide, but his body type is far more suited to a slot role. There is room on his tall frame to add mass, and he’ll need to pack on another ten to 15 pounds if he wants to maintain his alignment versatility in the NFL. Briningstool’s arm length should meet NFL thresholds. He doesn’t have much special teams experience or a diverse history of playing on multiple units. There are some false steps in Briningstool’s release, but he generally gets off the line quickly and flashes impressive acceleration. He easily stacked Miami’s James Williams out of press coverage in 2023 and offers a speed mismatch against many slot defenders. Briningstool’s top speed appears to exceed Colston Loveland’s, although the Michigan product is a much more polished route runner. Briningstool has the speed to stretch defenses vertically and stack defenders in man coverage. He sinks his hips at the top of the stem and flashes some quick out-breaking routes that generate natural separation. The senior stems his slants outside before breaking inside. He uses a swim move to work across the defender’s face without taking on unnecessary contact. Unfortunately, Briningstool primarily receives free releases and doesn’t face press coverage often. Many of his most successful plays came on a limited route tree, and Clemson’s 2023 offense really hindered his ability to showcase his full skill set as a pass catcher. Briningstool generates inconsistent separation because of rounded routes or poorly sold route fakes. The Tennessee native needs to provide his quarterback with an open target earlier in routes. He quickly clears the second level in zone coverage and wraps his routes around zone defenders, getting into their blind spots before reappearing just outside of their area of influence. Briningstool also extends passing windows by changing his speed to linger in holes in zone coverage. He rolls with the quarterback to support the offense when plays break down. Unfortunately, Briningstool’s inconsistent awareness in zones leads to him running into coverage. The All-ACC selection displays ideal concentration at the catch point. He boxes out defenders in the red zone and gets low to dig throws out of the turf. Briningstool tracks the ball well and uses his impressive vertical to high point the football and win in crowded air space. He needs to work back to the ball more often to prevent defensive backs from undercutting his routes. Briningstool doesn’t drop the ball often, but he occasionally bobbles or double catches throws. His build makes him susceptible to being knocked off course by mid-route contact. The Clemson star’s speed makes him a threat after the catch, but he isn’t twitchy or elusive and lacks the strength to break tackles consistently despite his leg drive. Briningstool sells blocking well before he slips out on routes. He is a willing blocker but not a very good one. He finds some success blocking defensive backs on the perimeter but struggles to sustain blocks. Defensive linemen displace or run through him and use their strength to pull him forward and off balance. Briningstool lacks the mass and play strength to be an effective in-line blocker in the NFL.

Overall, Briningstool has the athletic traits to challenge Colston Loveland in some areas, but the Clemson product is far less consistent and refined than his Michigan counterpart. Briningstool is not a reliable blocker and needs to develop his route definition to take the next step and potentially lock down a top 50 selection.

Role & Scheme Fit: Eventual starting slot/F tight end

Round Grade: Late Second to Early Third Round

Size: 6'6", 230 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 07-12-24