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For Clemson redshirt freshman tight end Christian Bentancur, the game has always been about more than touchdowns and stat sheets. Football has been his lifelong dream, but it’s also the vehicle through which he lives out something deeper — his faith.
That faith was front and center during Clemson’s recent team meeting, which head coach Dabo Swinney described as one of the best he’s ever been a part of. Instead of film study, the session turned toward scripture and a sermon-like message from Swinney himself. For Bentancur, it was a reminder of why he chose Clemson in the first place.
“Me, faith is—I really put all my trust in God and all my faith in God, and to hear our head coach preach a little bit about the scripture and the Bible, I love it,” Bentancur said. “That’s one of the reasons I came here, is to be with Coach Swinney and have his back through and through.”
That alignment between Swinney’s leadership style and Bentancur’s personal values has made the transition from redshirt to contributor all the more meaningful. After playing in six games last year but preserving his eligibility, Bentancur now finds himself carving out a role in a deep tight end room that includes veterans like Josh Sapp and Olsen Patt-Henry.
While he’s quick to praise his teammates, Bentancur is also focused on maximizing his own potential. He believes his versatility — blocking, pass protection, and route-running — allows him to create mismatches against defenses. Beyond the on-field development, the Lakemoor, Illinois, native continues to lean on faith as his foundation.
“It’s all about getting trust,” Bentancur said of the tight ends’ role in Garrett Riley’s offense. Trust, of course, is something he connects to more than just play-calling. It’s also about his belief in God and his confidence in the culture Swinney has built.
For a young player still learning the college game, that consistency matters. The highs and lows of a long season can be humbling, but Bentancur’s perspective keeps him grounded.
“This has been my dream all my life, so I’m happy to get out there and start playing,” he said.
For Bentancur, football is both a calling and a proving ground. In Clemson, he’s found a place where faith and football intersect in ways that strengthen both.
