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DeMonte Capehart could have been preparing for his first NFL training camp. Instead, he’s back in Death Valley, embracing the grind of fall camp for one more shot at proving he belongs among college football’s elite defensive linemen.
The Clemson defensive tackle was projected to be a mid-to-late round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but after a disappointing and injury-marred redshirt senior season, Capehart made the decision to return, and the NCAA granted him a waiver to play a sixth and final year for the Tigers.
“[I'm] appreciative of the opportunity to come back and improve my game and perfect my craft,” Capehart said after practice this week. “Of course, I wanted an opportunity to get better, because I know last season wasn't what I really hoped."
Last season, Capehart logged 27 total tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and two pass breakups across 11 games (six starts). But a lingering ankle injury limited his impact and consistency throughout the year — something he’s determined to correct in 2025.
“Well, I honestly think it was just not being able to stay healthy,” he admitted. “Because the game is football. You know, things happen, but I think it's just frustrating [when] you can't stay healthy."
To avoid a repeat, Capehart has taken a full-body approach to the offseason, focused on daily "prehab" and consistent recovery work with the Tigers' training staff.
“I attack prehab every day, treatment in the training room. Those guys have become my best friends — early mornings, and whenever I leave here, I'm going in there,” he said.
And on the field?
“Footwork, hand placement, technique, a whole lot,” Capehart said. “I’ve still got a lot of stuff I've got to work on throughout this camp.”
Clemson’s defensive line, headlined by rising star Peter Woods and edge rusher T.J. Parker, is already one of the ACC’s most formidable units. But for the Tigers to reach their ceiling defensively, Capehart, now a 6-foot-5, 290-pound veteran presence, needs to be a key piece.
Defensive tackles coach Nick Eason has seen the growth in his veteran lineman.
“He’s done a really good job this year of just taking care of his body, being really locked in, being really focused,” Eason said. “He's got to play big and play, and I’m looking forward to watching him just continue to develop daily so he can play at an elite level. You see flashes of that all the time, but he’s got to be more consistent with it."
Eason added that Capehart has fully embraced the offseason challenge.
“He stepped up to the challenges that I presented to him this offseason. I’m really proud of him as well," he noted. "The way he’s responding, that mindset has been different, how he’s trained, how he’s eating, how he’s sleeping, taking care of his body, and just being really focused on what matters the most."
Now fully healthy and driven by a renewed sense of urgency, Capehart has the opportunity to anchor a Clemson defense determined to reclaim its championship status.
"There’s no limit to what this team can do if we show up and work every day," he said. "There's no limit."
