Brayden Jacobs: Clemson offense ‘hungry to win’ with more physical mindset

CLEMSON — For Brayden Jacobs, the difference in Clemson’s offense isn’t simply about scheme.

It’s about attitude.

The sophomore offensive lineman said following the Aug. 17 practice that he has seen a more physical approach up front throughout preseason camp, particularly in the running game.

“I mean, I think we've been a lot better. Especially the offensive line being more aggressive and physical in the run game, hand fits and stuff like that,” Jacobs said. “I've definitely seen it. Throughout the scrimmage, we've popped multiple longer runs just based off of us giving effort to the whistle blows and just finishing plays.”

That would represent an important development for an offense looking for more production on the ground in 2026.

The Tigers averaged 124.5 rushing yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry last season, finishing with 1,618 rushing yards in 13 games and ultimately leading to a 7-6 finish.

Now Jacobs believes the offensive line is developing the aggressive mentality necessary to change that.

At 6-foot-7 and 355 pounds, Jacobs is part of a massive offensive line room including 325-pound Elyjah Thurmon, who also returns from injury, and several other linemen weighing at least 300 pounds. But Jacobs said size alone isn't what the room wants to hang its hat on.

“I mean, it's the expectation,” Jacobs said. “A lot of offensive lines in the country are gonna be big. I just love playing next to all those guys.”

Jacobs believes the running backs have helped reinforce that mentality by becoming more aggressive themselves, and he said the Tigers have already seen evidence of it during preseason scrimmages with several longer runs.

But the change Jacobs described extends beyond physicality.

After a disappointing 2025 season, he sees an offense that is closer. 

“I think just last year, our team might not have been as connected as we are this year,” Jacobs said. “I feel like this year, quarterbacks, running backs, O-line, we're all connected.”

Then Jacobs boiled their approach down to something much simpler.

“I think it's just more of a commitment; this team is more committed than we were last year,” Jacobs said. “We're hungry. We're hungry to win.”

Clemson will get an immediate opportunity to demonstrate that new identity under the lights at LSU.

For Jacobs and the offensive line group, the standard is considerably higher than simply being bigger than the opponent.

“We have to make sure that we're the best offensive line in the country,” Jacobs said.