Clemson is in a holding pattern as they wait for news about DeMonte Capehart’s eligibility for a sixth season. The senior defensive tackle, who has been part of the Tigers’ defensive line for several years, has a chance to return to Clemson in 2025, pending the outcome of a waiver filed by the program.
DeMonte Capehart’s College Career at Clemson on Hold Pending Waiver
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney addressed the situation on Wednesday, Jan. 15, during a press conference introducing new defensive coordinator Tom Allen. He highlighted the uncertainty of the result. However, he also expressed optimism about Capehart’s future with the team.
Capehart, a 2020 recruit, could potentially benefit from the extra year of eligibility — the year of contention is reportedly his 2021 season when he played just 20 snaps but across five games. This waiver would allow him to extend his career at Clemson and further contribute to the Tigers’ defensive line in 2025.
However, the decision is still pending, and the NCAA has yet to make a ruling on Capehart’s request. According to Swinney, the Tigers await news on Capehart’s eligibility status, hoping for a favorable outcome.
“Hoping for some good news there,” Swinney said. “Any moment. I think he has until Feb. 6. He doesn’t technically have to declare for the [2025 NFL Draft]. He’s got until Feb. 6 not to be in it. Hopefully, we will know something soon.”
Capehart’s career at Clemson began with high expectations when he arrived as a highly regarded recruit from South Carolina. After earning blue-chip status in high school, many expected Capehart to make an immediate impact. However, he struggled to reach his full potential at the college level. Over 45 games, Capehart has accumulated 51 tackles, with 11 resulting in a loss, and he has registered just two sacks.
His early years at Clemson were marked by limited playing time. Capehart only saw 20 snaps each during his true freshman and redshirt freshman seasons. It wasn’t until his sophomore year in 2022 that he began to see more action, appearing in all 13 games and recording 13 tackles.
In 2023, Capehart played in 11 games and posted 27 tackles, including five for loss. While these statistics were a step up from his previous seasons, they were not the standout numbers many had hoped for given his potential.
The 2024 season appeared to be Capehart’s time to shine. As one of the key players on Clemson’s defensive line, he was expected to step into a starting role and be a major contributor for the Tigers.
Unfortunately, his campaign was derailed by an ankle injury suffered during the mid-season loss to Louisville. This injury kept Capehart out of action for three games, and while he did make a return against South Carolina, he wasn’t fully recovered for the Tigers’ playoff loss to Texas. He finished the season with 27 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and no sacks, a disappointing performance given the expectations.
A Critical Decision for Clemson’s Defense
Despite his underwhelming performance thus far, Capehart’s return in 2025 would be an important development for Clemson’s defense. The Tigers’ defensive line, which has been an area of focus for improvement, would benefit from Capehart’s experience and presence.
Clemson is already home to several standout players on the defensive line, including Peter Woods, Stephiylan Green, and Vic Burley, all of whom have shown significant promise.
Additionally, the Tigers have a strong group of young talents, such as five-star freshman Amare Adams, who could also benefit from Capehart’s leadership. His experience and physicality at 6’5″ and 315 pounds would provide much-needed depth to a defensive line that is critical to Clemson’s success in 2025.
Having Capehart back in the fold would provide an additional body to rotate. It also adds a veteran presence to a group of young, talented defensive linemen. His experience, coupled with the strength of Clemson’s defensive line, could help address the team’s weaknesses from the previous season and give the Tigers a more formidable defense moving forward.
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