Tigers Today: Dabo Swinney excited about development of Jake Briningstool

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Dabo Swinney excited about development of Jake Briningstool

Clemson has been hit by injuries this year. That’s just a well known fact at this point in the season.

But the lack of depth has forced some underclassmen to take on larger roles, such as freshman tight end Jake Briningstool. The On3 consensus four-star prospect, he has played in four games this season. A large part of his larger role is due to the season-ending injury of Braden Galloway, who injured his shoulder against Pitt.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has been impressed with Briningstool, a 6-foot-6, 235-pound tight end who is still growing and is expected to be a major factor in Clemson’s passing game in the years to come.

“Brinny is as good as anybody when it comes to the passing game. He’s so much better and further along in understanding the schemes and the protections and where he fits,” Swinney said Wednesday. “A very willing, physical dude. He’s still developing in that area, but he’s a naturally physical guy, which I love about him. He’ll be a guy — those three guys are going to be like our backs next year.”

The true freshman has appeared in four games this season and had one catch for 11 yards against Florida State.

Former Clemson running back ruled out for season

Chez Mellusi, who transferred to Wisconsin this summer, will miss the rest of the season due to a leg injury. Badgers head coach Paul Chryst announced the news Thursday.

Mellusi, who took over the starting job at Wisconsin, leads the team with 815 yards with 173 carries. He exited last week’s game over Rutgers with an injury to his left leg. He was listed as questions for Saturday’s game against Northwestern, but Chryst changed that status Thursday.

2022 OL Jacob Ashley is in touch with Clemson, talks possibility of an offer

Clemson’s 2022 class currently features a trio of offensive linemen. Two of them — Blake Miller and Collin Sadler — are scholarship pledges, while the other, Mason Johnstone, will be a preferred walk-on at the next level.

With just over a month to go until the Early Signing Period, however, the Tigers may not be done just yet when it comes to recruiting o-linemen.

Enter Jacob Ashley, a senior out of Oceanside Collegiate Academy who remains in touch with Clemson to this day. ClemsonSports.com senior recruiting writer Joseph Hastings caught up with Ashely to chat about Clemson and a possible offer.

Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei will wear ‘special brace’ for UConn game

Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei isn’t 100% healthy for Saturday’s game against UConn, but Tigers coach Dabo Swinney still expects his sophomore to be ready to go.

Uiagalelei suffered a sprained PCL during the first half of Clemson’s 30-24 victory over Louisville this past weekend.

A hobbled Uiagalelei played through pain to finish with 220 passing yards and two passing touchdowns against the Cardinals. He also added a rushing score.

ClemsonSports.com senior writer Matt Connolly broke down what this means for the Tigers offense and some more notes.

Counting down

• Clemson at South Carolina: 15 days