Football recruiting: 2021 Ravenwood tight end Jake Briningstool makes mark with one-handed, falling down catch

Jake Briningstool still smiles and laughs about the catch.

Over his head. Falling down. One-handed. 

It happened June 1 at the Lindenwood Mega Camp in St. Charles, Mo., and it made him a viral sensation.

“I just pulled it out,” Briningstool said with a smile. “I didn’t even mean to do it. It just blew up. It’s been pretty cool.”

There could be much more of that to come for the Ravenwood junior tight end, one of the area's most-recruited athletes for the Class of 2021. If there's any question why he has 27 Division I offers despite only 256 yards and 22 catches to his name, that catch illustrates it.

Briningstool's offers

Briningstool is a four-star prospect and the No. 7 prospect in Tennessee for the Class of 2021, according to the 247Sports Composite. He's also the No. 7-ranked tight end for 2021 and No. 252 overall prospect.

Briningstool's offers include Clemson, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

"It’s awesome to have these types of opportunities," Briningstool said about Alabama and Clemson. "It's such a blessing, and I’m just super thankful. It’s really a cool experience to be able to talk to and build relationships with such great leaders who are the same guys that you see all over the TV.  

"It’s really humbling to have these high caliber programs interested in me."

He visited the University of Miami on June 21 and 22. Once school is back in session, on Sept. 7 he’ll be in attendance for Texas A&M vs. Clemson, and at Alabama on Nov. 9 vs. LSU. 

2019 expectations

Before the new season commences, Briningstool's aim is simple: get bigger, faster and stronger.

Coach Matt Daniels expects a big season from him and noted Briningstool's stats could have been limited by the team's multiple options last season, including receiver Anthony Holmes, who was second on the team with 645 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Briningstool thinks so, too. 

“Last year I didn’t really catch that many passes or do that much,” Briningstool said. “This year I feel like I can be more of a threat in the red zone and across the middle and stuff like that. Just a big body they can throw it to.”

But Daniels also sees a lot of potential with the way Briningstool can be used when he’s not the intended receiver.

“He’s versatile,” Daniels said. “He can be a receiver, but he’s also physical and is starting to get that blocking piece to him. His trajectory is towards a complete tight end and not somebody you have to take off the field, which is always a great thing in these types of offenses these days.”