Josh Sapp isn’t playing football for the Clemson Tigers because of legacy or because his dad Patrick, who played linebacker and quarterback, works in administration for the university.
The redshirt freshman tight end is a player Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is thrilled to have on the team.
“I’m glad we got that kid,” Swinney said last week. “He’s really, really smooth. He’s going to be a very good player.”
Swinney has seen Sapp making plays in the offense since last year’s Orange Bowl prep, when Sapp got a lot of competitive work. He’s continued that level in spring practice and impressed his head coach.
“I’m really glad we were able to redshirt him (in 2022),” Swinney said. “He’s big He’s strong, but he can really run. He’s sneaky. He bounces off people. Has really soft hands. He’s shown up.”
Sapp entered 2023 with his first real opportunity to see playing time. With Davis Allen off to the NFL and Sage Ennis used more as a blocker, the Tigers need someone else to complement Jake Briningstool in the passing game, and they might have found their guy in this youngster.
The 6-foot-1, 245-pound Sapp wasn't a highly-rated prospect, and he was recruited at a time when Clemson had its sights set on a couple of other tight ends. But after some things fell threw, Sapp got the offer, his only from a Power 5 school. The Greenville High School product produced 50 receptions for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior, and much like his dad for the Tigers from 1992-94, Sapp is a versatile athlete.
“I just think it’s a credit to he’s a football kid, No. 1,” Swinney said. “He’s played quarterback. He’s played receiver. He’s played D-end. He’s played linebacker. He’s played safety. He’s played running back. This guy has played all these positions his whole life. He’s been a really, really good basketball player. He’s just a really smooth athlete.”
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