DeMonte Capehart announces return to Clemson
DeMonte Capehart’s announcement to return to Clemson for another season adds another layer of excitement to the Tigers’ 2025 campaign. The 6'5", 315-pound defensive tackle from Hartsville, South Carolina, was a steady presence—when healthy—on the defensive line this past season. The Clemson graduate tallied 27 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and two pass breakups in 248 snaps across 11 games, with six starts. His decision ensures Clemson retains a veteran force in the trenches.
Capehart's return bolsters a defense already poised to thrive with key contributors like linebacker Wade Woodaz, defensive end T.J. Parker, and fellow defensive tackle Peter Woods. Offensively, the Tigers will look to leaders such as quarterback Cade Klubnik, wide receiver Antonio Williams, and offensive tackles Blake Miller and Tristan Leigh to keep the momentum rolling after an appearance in the College Football Playoff this past season.
For Capehart, the decision to stay in Tiger Town represents an opportunity to solidify his legacy while helping Clemson maintain its championship-caliber standards.
Clemson Bio:
Emerged down the stretch in 2023 as one of Clemson’s most physical and most disruptive interior linemen … credited with 59 tackles (10.5 for loss), 2.0 sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble in 550 snaps over 45 career games (six starts) from 2020-24.
2024: Credited with 27 tackles (1.5 for loss) and two pass breakups in 248 defensive snaps over 11 games (six starts) … contributed five tackles vs. No. 1 Georgia … made one tackle each in games vs. Appalachian State and vs. NC State … added three tackles vs. Stanford … posted three tackles and a pass breakup at Florida State … collected two tackles (one for loss) at Wake Forest … recorded three tackles vs. Virginia … made two tackles vs. Louisville … added two tackles vs. No. 8 SMU … contributed five tackles (0.5 for loss) at No. 3 Texas.
2023: Credited with 16 tackles (5.0 for loss), a sack, a pass breakup and a forced fumble in 179 snaps over 12 games … also credited by the coaching staff with nine quarterback pressures, the second-most among Clemson’s interior linemen … All-ACC Academic Team selection … recorded two tackles vs. Charleston Southern … added two tackles (0.5 for loss) vs. Florida Atlantic … posted one tackle and a forced fumble at Syracuse … recorded one tackle vs. Wake Forest … made one tackle at Miami (Fla.) … posted a tackle for loss amid his two tackles at NC State … recorded two tackles, including 1.5 for loss, vs. No. 12 Notre Dame … added two tackles (one for loss) with one sack vs. Georgia Tech, earning team defensive player of the game … credited with one tackle and a pass breakup vs. No. 20 North Carolina … made one tackle at South Carolina and in the Gator Bowl vs. Kentucky.
2022: Credited with 13 tackles (2.0 for loss) in 83 defensive snaps over 13 games … All-ACC Academic Team selection … made two tackles at Georgia Tech … had another two tackles (including a shared tackle for loss) vs. Furman … recorded 1.5 tackles for loss among his two tackles vs. Louisiana Tech … made a tackle at Notre Dame … added one tackle vs. South Carolina … recorded two tackles vs. No. 24 North Carolina … made three tackles in the Orange Bowl vs. No. 6 Tennessee.
2021: Played 20 snaps over five games … made season debut vs. SC State … also saw action vs. UConn and at South Carolina.
2020: Played 20 snaps as a true freshman, being credited with three tackles (2.0 for loss) and a sack over four games … made collegiate debut vs. The Citadel, tying for the team lead with 2.0 tackles for loss and producing one sack among his three tackles.
