The Clemson Tigers have received some major news on a key wide receiver.
The Clemson Tigers are losing key wide receiver Antonio Williams to the NFL Draft, so it will be important for them to find a replacement.
Perhaps the reinforcements are already in-house?
Senior wide receiver Tristan Smith has been aiming to secure another year of eligibility after transferring over from Southeast Missouri State last year, and on Saturday, Smith revealed that he is making a strong attempt to get it done.
"Excited to announce that I have retained [attorney Darren Heitner] to help me pursue additional eligibility for my college football career and to finish strong with the [Tigers]," Smith posted on X. "Grateful for his expertise and looking forward to what’s ahead. Let’s work! Go tigers!"
Smith initially began his collegiate career at Hutchinson Community College in 2022 and spent two seasons there before transferring to Southeast Missouri State.
The 6-foot-5 weapon had a very impressive campaign with the Redhawks in 2024, hauling in 76 receptions for 934 yards and six touchdowns.
Clemson Tigers receiver Tristan Smith. Credit: Ken Ruinard - GREENVILLE NEWS-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.Smith then made the decision to jump to Clemson, where he served as the team's No. 4 receivers in 2025. In 13 games, he logged 24 catches for 239 yards and score.
Because the LaGrange, Ga. native played a couple of years of JUCO ball, he stands a good chance of being granted an extra year of eligibility. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is a perfect example of this.
Should Smith return to Clemson for 2026, he stands to become one of the team's top weapons behind T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco. He would likely be battling with Tyler Brown and the Tigers' three incoming four-star recruits (Naeem Burroughs, Connor Salmin and Gordon Sellars) for the No. 3 receiver role next fall.
Of course, Clemson also needs to get its quarterback situation sorted out with Cade Klubnik running out of eligibility.
The Tigers could roll with an in-house option like Christopher Vizzina or Chris Denson, or they could peruse the transfer portal for an option.
Clemson went 7-6 this season, marking the club's worst finish since Dabo Swinney's second year at the helm back in 2010. The Tigers went 6-7 that year.