Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Jake Briningstool is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 9, 2002, he grew up in Michigan and Tennessee before playing college football at Clemson University, where he became one of the most productive tight ends in school history.
Beyond his football career, Briningstool comes from a close-knit family with strong connections to college athletics. His parents are Tony Briningstool and Tricia Briningstool, while his two siblings are his older brother, Mitch Briningstool, and his sister, Julia Briningstool.
Jake has frequently discussed the importance of his family, particularly the inspiration he receives from his older brother. However, he has maintained privacy regarding his romantic relationships and whether he has children.
Jake Briningstool’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, Jake Briningstool has not publicly confirmed that he is dating anyone. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end has generally kept his romantic relationships away from public attention.
Despite attracting national recognition during his college football career at Clemson University and subsequently entering the NFL, Briningstool has not publicly identified a girlfriend in reliable interviews or official player biographies.
His public appearances have primarily focused on football, his family, his college experiences and charitable activities.
In a September 2024 interview with TigerNet, Briningstool discussed his close relationship with his parents and siblings but did not disclose information about a romantic partner.
Similarly, his official Clemson University and Kansas City Chiefs biographies do not identify a girlfriend.
However, the absence of a publicly confirmed romantic relationship does not necessarily mean that Briningstool is single. His current relationship status remains private.
Is Jake Briningstool Married?
As of now, Jake Briningstool has no publicly confirmed wife.
He has not made a verified public marriage announcement, and reliable reporting has not established that he is married or engaged.
Jake Briningstool’s Children
As of now, Jake Briningstool has no publicly confirmed children.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter, and reliable sources have not established that he is a father.
Most publicly available information about his family concerns his parents, Tony and Tricia Briningstool, and his siblings, Mitch and Julia.
Although Jake frequently expresses appreciation for his family, he has not shared verified information identifying children of his own.
Jake Briningstool’s Parents
Jake Briningstool was born to Tony Briningstool and Tricia Briningstool.
Both parents have played important roles in his athletic development and have supported his football career from childhood through college and into the NFL.
The family has particularly strong connections to Michigan State University, where Tony previously played college football.
However, despite his family’s ties to Michigan State, Jake eventually chose Clemson University to continue his football career.
Tony Briningstool – Father
Tony Briningstool is Jake Briningstool’s father and a former college football linebacker.
According to Clemson University Athletics and TigerNet, Tony played linebacker at Michigan State University during the period from 1987 to 1992.
His experience in college football contributed to Jake’s early exposure to competitive athletics.
During Jake’s childhood, the family lived in the East Lansing area of Michigan, where Michigan State University is located.
Jake regularly attended Michigan State football games and participated in youth football camps associated with the university.
His father’s football background helped him understand the demands of playing at a major college program.
Tony also played an important role during his son’s college recruitment.
When Jake became a highly regarded high school tight end, Michigan State was among the first major programs to offer him a scholarship.
The university had significant personal meaning for the family because Tony had played there and other relatives had attended the institution.
However, Tony did not pressure Jake to follow his footsteps.
In a September 2024 interview with TigerNet, Jake explained that his parents encouraged him to make his own college decision.
Although the family had strong Michigan State connections, they supported Jake’s choice to attend Clemson.
Tony subsequently traveled regularly to watch his son play college football.
He also participated in activities supporting Jake’s older brother, Mitch, including charitable events organized by the Arthritis Foundation.
Tricia Briningstool – Mother
Tricia Briningstool is Jake Briningstool’s mother.
She has played an important role in raising Jake and his two siblings while supporting their education, athletics and personal development.
Tricia shares the family’s strong connection to Michigan State University, where she attended college.
According to published family profiles, the Briningstool family lived in the Lansing area for several years before relocating to Tennessee in 2012.
During Jake’s childhood, Tricia supported his participation in football and other athletic activities.
She also became closely involved in his recruitment as he developed into one of the country’s leading high school tight end prospects.
When Jake visited Clemson University, Tricia accompanied him and other members of the family.
In January 2020, the family visited Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney at his home, where Jake personally announced his decision to join the Tigers.
Tricia continued supporting her son throughout his college career.
In a September 2024 interview, Jake explained that his parents regularly traveled from Tennessee to attend Clemson football games.
He credited their dedication with helping him remain motivated despite the challenges of college athletics.
Tricia also supports her older son Mitch, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since childhood.
She has participated in events supporting the Arthritis Foundation and raising awareness about the condition.
Although detailed information about her professional career has not been reliably documented, her involvement in her children’s lives is well established.
Jake Briningstool’s Siblings
Jake Briningstool has two siblings: Mitch Briningstool and Julia Briningstool.
The siblings grew up together in a family that emphasized education, athletics and supporting one another.
Jake has frequently described his relationships with Mitch and Julia as important parts of his personal life.
Mitch Briningstool – Older Brother
Mitch Briningstool is Jake Briningstool’s older brother and one of the most influential people in his life.
According to a September 2024 interview with TigerNet, Mitch is approximately two years older than Jake.
The brothers share a close relationship that Jake has described as one of the strongest connections in his life.
Mitch has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since he was approximately two years old.
The condition has created physical challenges throughout his life, affecting his movement and everyday activities.
Despite those difficulties, Jake has repeatedly praised his brother’s determination and positive attitude.
In his interview with TigerNet, Jake described Mitch as his “built-in best friend.”
He explained that watching his brother overcome challenges has motivated him to approach football and everyday responsibilities with determination.
Jake has also stated that Mitch inspires him because he refuses to let his condition define his ambitions.
Their relationship has influenced Jake’s charitable activities.
How Jake Briningstool Supports His Brother Mitch
In September 2024, Jake used money earned through name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities to support the Arthritis Foundation of Tennessee.
The organization hosted its Dinner of Champions fundraising event in Franklin, Tennessee.
Jake purchased a table for his parents, allowing them to attend the event and support a cause closely connected to their family’s experiences.
He explained that helping his brother was more important than using the money exclusively for personal expenses.
The family also became involved in the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run fundraising initiative.
Through these activities, Jake helped raise awareness about rheumatoid arthritis while honoring Mitch’s perseverance.
The story attracted attention from college football publications, including TigerNet and Sports Illustrated’s NIL coverage.
Julia Briningstool – Sister
Julia Briningstool is Jake Briningstool’s sister and another child of Tony and Tricia Briningstool.
Julia grew up alongside Jake and Mitch in Michigan and Tennessee.
Like other members of the family, she has maintained a connection to Michigan State University.
In September 2024, Jake confirmed that Julia was attending Michigan State.
Her decision to study at the university continued a family tradition established by their parents and grandparents.
Although Julia has generally maintained a private personal life, she has been publicly identified in photographs featuring Jake and other family members.
In an interview with TigerNet, Jake explained that the siblings remained close despite living in different locations during their college years.
The family regularly found opportunities to visit one another and attend important events.
However, detailed information about Julia’s academic major, occupation and personal relationships has not been consistently documented in reliable publications.
Jake Briningstool’s Family Connection to Michigan State
One of the most distinctive aspects of Jake Briningstool’s family background is its longstanding association with Michigan State University.
His father, Tony, played college football for the Spartans.
His mother, Tricia, also attended Michigan State, while other family members studied at the university.
Jake’s grandparents were Michigan State alumni, and his cousin, Garrett Briningstool, previously worked with the university’s basketball program under coach Tom Izzo.
For much of Jake’s childhood, the family lived in East Lansing, Michigan.
He frequently attended Michigan State football games and participated in youth football camps.
Because of these connections, many college football observers initially considered Michigan State a likely destination for Jake.
However, he ultimately chose to pursue his own path at Clemson University.
According to TigerNet, his parents encouraged him to select the program that best suited his goals.
Their support helped him make the decision without feeling obligated to continue the family’s Michigan State football tradition.
Jake Briningstool’s Childhood and Family Background
Jake Briningstool was born on December 9, 2002, and spent part of his childhood in the Lansing area of Michigan.
His family relocated to the Nashville, Tennessee, area in 2012.
Jake subsequently attended Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee, where he developed into one of the country’s leading tight end prospects.
His performances attracted scholarship offers from several major college football programs.
Among the schools recruiting him were Alabama, Clemson, Michigan State and Ohio State.
During his senior season, Briningstool recorded 39 receptions for 774 yards and 12 touchdowns.
His athletic ability and receiving skills made him one of the most highly regarded tight ends in the 2021 recruiting class.
Despite his family’s Michigan State connections, he committed to Clemson University in January 2020.
His parents and siblings supported the decision and accompanied him during important recruiting visits.
Jake Briningstool’s College Football Career
Jake Briningstool enrolled at Clemson University in January 2021.
He played four seasons for the Clemson Tigers, gradually developing into one of the team’s most important receiving targets.
During his freshman season, he appeared in eight games and recorded three receptions for 67 yards and one touchdown.
His production increased during the 2022 season, when he caught 25 passes for 285 yards and four touchdowns.
In 2023, Briningstool recorded 50 receptions for 498 yards and five touchdowns.
His 50 receptions tied Clemson’s single-season record for a tight end.
During his final college season in 2024, he recorded 49 receptions for 530 yards and seven touchdowns.
He finished his college career with 127 receptions, 1,380 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
His 127 career receptions established a Clemson record for the tight end position.
Briningstool also earned All-ACC honors in 2023 and 2024.
Beyond football, he completed his bachelor’s degree in sociology in December 2024.
His academic achievements included three selections to the All-ACC Academic Team.
Jake Briningstool’s Journey to the Kansas City Chiefs
After completing his college football career, Jake Briningstool participated in the 2025 NFL Draft process.
Although he was not selected during the draft, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in April 2025.
His decision to join Kansas City followed conversations with members of the coaching staff, including head coach Andy Reid.
Briningstool explained that the Chiefs’ interest in his abilities influenced his decision to join the organization.
He was particularly excited about the opportunity to learn from veteran tight end Travis Kelce.
However, his rookie season was affected by a hamstring injury that prevented him from making his NFL regular-season debut in 2025.
Briningstool returned to the team in 2026 and continued competing for opportunities within Kansas City’s offense.
On September 14, 2026, he recorded his first NFL reception, catching a nine-yard pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes against the Denver Broncos.
As of now, Briningstool remains part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end group.
Jake Briningstool’s Relationship With His Family
Family has remained one of the most important influences in Jake Briningstool’s personal and professional life.
His parents regularly traveled to Clemson games during his college football career, while his siblings continued supporting him from different locations.
In his September 2024 interview with TigerNet, Jake explained that he writes his family members’ initials on the athletic tape he wears during football games.
The tradition serves as a reminder of the people who have supported him throughout his journey.
His relationship with Mitch is especially meaningful because of the challenges his older brother has faced since childhood.
Jake has repeatedly described Mitch’s determination as a source of inspiration.
The family’s involvement in Arthritis Foundation initiatives also demonstrates how they support one another beyond sports.
Although his professional career has taken him away from Tennessee, Briningstool has continued emphasizing the importance of maintaining close family relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jake Briningstool’s Family
Who is Jake Briningstool’s girlfriend?
As of now, Jake Briningstool has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend. His current romantic relationship status remains private.
Is Jake Briningstool married?
No marriage has been publicly confirmed for Jake Briningstool, and reliable sources have not identified a wife.
Does Jake Briningstool have children?
As of now, Jake Briningstool has no publicly confirmed children. He has not announced having a son or daughter.
Who is Jake Briningstool’s father?
His father is Tony Briningstool, a former college football linebacker who played at Michigan State University between 1987 and 1992.
Who is Jake Briningstool’s mother?
His mother is Tricia Briningstool, who attended Michigan State University and has supported his athletic career since childhood.
How many siblings does Jake Briningstool have?
Jake Briningstool has two siblings: his older brother Mitch Briningstool and his sister Julia Briningstool.
Who is Jake Briningstool’s brother?
His older brother is Mitch Briningstool, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since childhood. Jake has publicly credited Mitch’s determination as a major inspiration.
Who is Jake Briningstool’s sister?
His sister is Julia Briningstool. She was attending Michigan State University in 2024, continuing the family’s longstanding connection to the institution.
Is Jake Briningstool related to Michigan State football?
Yes. His father played linebacker at Michigan State, while his mother and grandparents also attended the university.
Where was Jake Briningstool born?
Jake Briningstool was born on December 9, 2002. He grew up in Michigan and Tennessee before attending Clemson University.
Where did Jake Briningstool play college football?
Jake Briningstool played college football at Clemson University from 2021 through 2024, finishing as the school’s all-time leader in receptions by a tight end.
What NFL team does Jake Briningstool play for?
As of now, Jake Briningstool plays tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. He originally joined the organization as an undrafted free agent in 2025.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
