Tag: Bryan Bresee

Dec 3, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (11) warms up with defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart (19) before the ACC Championship game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY NETWORK

Potential first-round DT Bryan Bresee holds draft decision

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Potential first-round draft pick Bryan Bresee plans to celebrate with his Clemson teammates before making any decisions about his future.

Bresee, a junior and former five-star recruit, said Wednesday his focus is on the No. 7 Tigers beating No. 6 Tennessee on Friday in the Orange Bowl.

He has eight sacks in 20 career starts, but is considering a potential return for 2023 along with defensive lineman K.J. Henry. Henry, also playing Friday, said he’s undecided about what’s next but has accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

Breese played four games in 2021 before an ACL tear ended his season. The ACC Rookie of the Year in 2020 rebounded as a junior in 2022 and was voted All-ACC for the second time.

“Definitely knowing some people that are coming back, just playing with them again could be special,” Bresee said. “At the end of the day though, it’s important to know what’s best for me and just sit down with my family and talk about it once the season is over and kind of make a decision then. Right now, I’m focused on playing Tennessee. I haven’t even really thought about it yet.”

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said he knows there are players participating in the game who plan to enter the NFL draft soon after. But Bresee said Wednesday “not me, I haven’t talked to him” about the draft.

“We’ve got several guys that we thought would be leaving Clemson that are going to stay at Clemson,” Swinney said. “That’s also a sign when you see guys could go ahead and go to the pros, all this stuff that’s going on in college football, to chose to want to stay I think shows how they feel about Clemson, how they feel about their coaches and who we are as a program.”

–Field Level Media

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts near defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (11) after the game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia Monday, September 5, 2022. Clemson won 41-10. Ncaa Fb Clemson At Georgia Tech

Dabo Swinney, Clemson to use Ella Bresee’s words to inspire

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ella Bresee left an indelible mark on Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.

Ella, 15, died last week from brain cancer. Her older brother, Bryan, is a standout Clemson defensive tackle, and Swinney led a contingent of players and coaches to her funeral in Maryland on Tuesday.

Swinney told reporters Wednesday that Ella left behind words of inspiration.

“We all can learn from Ella,” he said, going on to describe a letter she wrote about living with cancer. “She said, ‘You know, I have a choice and I choose to have a great attitude and I’m gonna make the best of each day.’”

Swinney said the bottom line of Ella’s message was that you have to love life and “live it to the fullest. And I think to do that, you have to love and you have to forgive and, as Ella said, don’t hold grudges and, you know, have a true appreciation of today.”

Bryan Bresee was with his family following Ella’s death and missed last Saturday’s win over Louisiana Tech. He is expected to play Saturday when the No. 5 Tigers (3-0) meet No. 21 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C.

–Field Level Media

Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (11) pressures Georgia Tech freshman Jordan Yates (13) during the third quarter in Clemson, S.C., September 18, 2021. Ncaa Football Georgia Tech At Clemson

Bryan Bresee to be joined by 30-plus teammates, coach for sister’s funeral

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Clemson standout defensive tackle Bryan Bresee returned to the team on Monday, one day before the funeral of his 15-year-old sister Ella, who died of brain cancer last Thursday.

Bresee will fly home on Tuesday to attend the funeral in Gaithersburg, Md., along with more than 30 of his teammates and head coach Dabo Swinney.

Among the players traveling include three of Bresee’s roommates: Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and safeties R.J. Mickens and Tyler Venables.

Swinney moved Tuesday’s practice to night so players could make the trip and attend Ella’s funeral.

Bresee was slated to practice with Clemson on Monday when the No. 5 Tigers (3-0, 1-0 Atlanta Coast Conference) begin preparations for Saturday’s game at Wake Forest.

“We’re being brothers for him,” linebacker Barrett Carter told reporters. “We’re being the family that he came here for. You come to Clemson because it’s a family environment. … He’s leaning on us heavily, so we’re just trying to be the best brothers and best family we can.”

Defensive end K.J. Henry expressed similar feelings.

“I’ll be happy to see him, happy to love on him as he gets back around the facility. I know he’s wanting to get some football in. That’s what we’re going to make it about. … Great time to let him know that his brothers are right beside him.”

Bresee missed last Saturday’s 48-20 victory over Louisiana Tech. He played in the first two games and had seven tackles, including two for loss.

Ella Bresee was diagnosed with the aggressive form of brain cancer 17 months ago and many associated with the Clemson program have been sporting “Ella Strong” T-shirts.

In addition, each player on the Louisiana Tech football wrote a hand-written letter to Bresee’s family in the wake of Ella’s death.

–Field Level Media

Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (11) during the first day of fall football practice at the Allen Reeves Complex in Clemson Friday, August 5, 2022. Clemson Football First Day Fall Practice

Clemson DT Bryan Bresee to miss game after sister’s death

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee won’t play Saturday for No. 5 Clemson against Louisiana Tech as he remains away from the team following the death of his sister.

Ella Bresee, 15, passed away Thursday, 17 months after being diagnosed with brain cancer. The Tigers played in her honor against Furman last Saturday, wearing “Ella Strong” T-shirts.

The Bresee family traveled from their home in Maryland to Clemson for the game, but Ella had a medical emergency and was hospitalized, missing the game.

Bresee, 20, left the team to be with his family after the Tigers’ 35-12 win.

“Never did I think I would be sitting here today saying bye to you,” Bresee shared in a message announcing his sister’s death on social media. “I want to thank you for bringing happiness to not only me but so many people. You are the best sister a brother could ask for and I know for a fact heaven has gained a beautiful angel today.”

A celebration of Ella’s life is scheduled for Tuesday in Gaithersburg, Md.

–Field Level Media

Sep 5, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (11) tackles Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Jeff Sims (10) for a loss during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Sister of Clemson DT Bryan Bresee dies at 15

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Clemson standout Bryan Bresee announced the death of his younger sister on Thursday morning. Ella Bresee, who had been fighting brain cancer, was 15.

“My beautiful sister Ella you amazed me every single day with the fight that you put up and how joyful you were constantly through this battle,” the defensive tackle posted to Instagram. “Never did I think I would be sitting here today saying bye to you. I want to thank you for bringing happiness to not only me but so many people. You are the best sister a brother could ask for and I know for a fact heaven has gained a beautiful angel today, Love you forever and always Ella bear.”

The Tigers paid tribute to Ella Bresee in Saturday’s game against Furman, wearing “Ella Strong” T-shirts. The Bresee family traveled from their home in Maryland to Clemson for the game, but Ella had a medical emergency and she was hospitalized, missing the game.

Bresee, 20, left the team to be with his family after the Tigers’ 35-12 win. Coach Dabo Swinney said Bresee could miss No. 5 Clemson’s game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

“There’s a lot more important things than football,” Swinney said Wednesday. “He needs to focus on what he’s doing and [if] he’s ready to be back and ready to play, hey, we’ll be here. But right now, he’s right where he needs to be.”

–Field Level Media