Jake Briningstool TE Clemson | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jake Briningstool TE Clemson
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Slot Receiving TE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 06/29/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (70%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.6 DOB: 12/09/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROLE: Slot Receiving TE | |
| Last Updated: 06/29/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (70%*) | |
| Age: 21.6 DOB: 12/09/2002 | |
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
| Overall Rating: | 81.0 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
74% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 96.8 | |
| Hands: |
|
75% |
| Short Receiving: |
|
65% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
|
76% |
| Deep Threat: |
|
77% |
| Blocking: |
|
45% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#166
Position rank:
#9
|
||
| College Games: 34 College Snaps: 1224 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
|
||
|
247 RATING: 95/100
|
||
|
RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
|
||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Ruckert - Ohio State |
|
74% |
| AJ Barner - Michigan |
|
73% |
| Theo Johnson - Penn State |
|
73% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jake Briningstool emerged as a key player for Clemson, showcasing his talent as a tight end. Over his college career, he caught 78 passes for 850 yards and 10 touchdowns in 35 games, including 13 starts. In 2023, he tied the Clemson single-season record for receptions by a tight end with 50 catches. His standout performance against Miami, where he recorded 126 receiving yards, set a new single-game record for a Clemson tight end.
In his junior year, Briningstool earned third-team All-ACC honors and second-team All-ACC recognition from the College Football Network. He also made the All-ACC Academic Team, reflecting his dedication on and off the field. Throughout the 2023 season, he accumulated 498 receiving yards and five touchdowns over 13 games. Made a record-tying nine receptions in the Gator Bowl against Kentucky.
Before joining Clemson, Briningstool was a highly regarded recruit from Ravenwood High School in Tennessee. He was a unanimous four-star prospect and ranked among the top 100 players nationally. During his high school career, he tallied 111 receptions for 1,955 yards and 22 touchdowns. He led his team to a 30-10 record and multiple playoff appearances. As a senior, he was a Mr. Football finalist and earned Regional 6-6A Co-MVP honors.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Excellent vertical and seam threat, making him a mismatch for linebackers and safeties.
- Big frame and catch radius, providing a reliable target for quarterbacks.
- Effective in the red zone, consistently winning contested catches.
- Versatile alignment, capable of playing multiple positions and creating mismatches.
- Strong route-runner with good tempo and ability to sell blocks before releasing.
- Reliable hands and ability to adjust to off-target throws.
- Good burst off the snap, allowing for clean releases.
- High football IQ with excellent coverage recognition.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited size and somewhat slender - lacks punch as an in-line blocker.
- Struggles to create yards after the catch, lacking quick elusiveness.
- Tendency to trap passes with his body rather than using hands.
- Inconsistent downfield threat, with occasional drops, when tracking the ball.
- Limited twitch and explosiveness, affecting his ability to break tackles in space.
Scouting Report: Summary
Jake Briningstool possesses the traits NFL teams covet in a pass-catching tight end. His size and catch radius create mismatches, especially in the red zone. His route-running is polished, and he shows a good understanding of coverage, making him a dependable target. His ability to line up in multiple positions adds to his versatility.
On the flip side, Briningstool needs to improve his YAC production and ensure he consistently uses his hands to secure the ball. Due to his WR-like frame, his blocking is adequate but lacks the physicality to dominate at the line of scrimmage.
Briningstool has the potential to carve out a productive NFL career. As he continues to refine his skills, particularly in blocking and YAC, he could develop into a solid player for an NFL offense. Currently, we project him as a day 2 pick with a chance to become a starter, although a passing-down-only role seems more likely.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
How other scouting services rate Jake Briningstool (Overall Rank)
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.