Clemson defender DeMonte Capehart, in limbo with NCAA, delivers good news for Tigers
DeMonte Capehart is coming back for Year Six.
The veteran Clemson defensive lineman announced “I’m back” in a social media post late Wednesday, an indication he has received an NCAA waiver and will return for final year of eligibility in 2025.
Coach Dabo Swinney revealed earlier this winter that Clemson and Capehart had submitted an NCAA waiver to get him a final year of eligibility for this season.
A Clemson team spokesman confirmed to The State that Capehart’s NCAA waiver request was successful.
Capehart (6-5, 315) was expected to be a dominant force on the Tigers’ defensive line in 2024. But a nagging ankle injury and subsequent surgery limited his production.
He played in 11 games (six starts) and had a career-high 21 tackles in 2024. But he had just 1.5 tackles for loss and zero sacks across 248 defensive snaps.
Still, the redshirt senior was considered an intriguing later-round prospect given his size and Clemson’s reputation for pumping out NFL-ready defensive linemen.
But Capehart didn’t intend on entering the NFL Draft, per Swinney. While waiting on an answer on his waiver, the defensive tackle was on campus, enrolled in classes and actively participating in offseason workouts.
Now he’ll try to put together one more healthy season to showcase his talents.
Capehart, 22, will enter the 2025 season having appeared in 45 career games with six starts for Clemson and should be in line to start at DT alongside Peter Woods.
