Clemson added Southeast Missouri State transfer wide receiver Tristan Smith, marking a shift in the program’s traditionally limited use of the transfer portal.
Smith caught 76 passes for 934 yards and six touchdowns for the Redhawks in 2024.
The receiver described an emotional moment when receiving his offer from Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney.
“When it came down to it, he just asked would I want to be a Clemson Tiger? It was so surreal, I started crying,” Smith said. “I’m not going to lie, I started crying. Me and my brother started crying because I feel like, I worked so hard and my brother knew how hard I worked. I mean, no doubt about it. I told him, ‘Yeah, I want to come here.'”
Smith joins quarterback Cade Klubnik, who enters 2025 as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate.
The Tigers secured three transfer portal additions this offseason, representing an increased willingness to pursue portal talent under Swinney.
Smith’s big-play ability adds another dimension to Clemson’s passing attack. His 12.3 yards per reception at Southeast Missouri State demonstrated his capacity to stretch the field.
The addition addresses Clemson’s need for experienced receivers heading into the 2025 season.
