Former Clemson defensive lineman Cade Denhoff signs UDFA deal in NFL

Cade Denhoff didn’t come off the board during the draft, but his next step didn’t take long to materialize. The former Clemson defensive end has landed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent, giving him a chance to carve out a role at the next level.

Denhoff’s time with the Clemson Tigers football stretched across five seasons, where he gradually worked into the rotation after sitting out his first year. He appeared in 46 games overall, finishing with 63 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, along with a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. His role expanded late in his career, drawing six starts across his final two seasons.

During his last year in college, Denhoff played in every game and was regularly part of the defensive line rotation. He posted 29 tackles and added a pass breakup while logging significant snaps throughout the season. He also stepped into a starting role during the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl matchup against Penn State Nittany Lions football, finishing with five tackles in that appearance.

Before arriving at Clemson, Denhoff built a strong reputation as a recruit out of Plant City, Florida. He was viewed as one of the better defensive prospects in the 2021 class, earning four-star status and a spot among the top 100 players nationally by multiple outlets.

He won’t be the only former Tiger in Buffalo’s rookie group. The Bills also used an early pick on edge rusher TJ Parker, adding another Clemson connection to the defensive front.

Denhoff now heads into a situation where nothing is guaranteed, but the opportunity is real. For players in his position, that’s all that matters heading into rookie camp.

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