Clemson football lands Tristan Smith from transfer portal. How former Southeast Missouri State WR fits

Posted by Admin December 17, 2024 Football

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CLEMSON — Clemson football added its first skill position transfer portal player ever on Monday with the commitment of former Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Tristan Smith.

Smith recorded 76 catches for 934 yards and six touchdowns this season. He has one year of eligibility remaining after playing for Southeast Missouri State in 2024 and two seasons at Hutchinson Community College.

The 6-foot-5 wideout joins quarterbacks Hunter Johnson (2022) and Paul Tyson (2023) as the only scholarship players to transfer to Clemson. Smith announced his commitment via X, formerly known as Twitter.

Here’s how Smith will fit with Clemson next season:

Why WR Tristan Smith picked Clemson from transfer portal?

Clemson needed another wide receiver after Troy Stellato and Noble Johnson entered the portal, leaving them at eight scholarship wide receivers (including incoming signee JuJu Preston). The team often hangs around 10 wide receivers.

Smith will be the tallest wide receiver on Clemson’s roster after having a stellar season with the Redhawks.

How Tristan Smith will fit with Clemson football’s roster

Smith will provide depth for Clemson at wide receiver with Antonio Williams, T.J. Moore, Bryant Wesco Jr. and Tyler Brown being involved in the starting rotation. His size allows him to be aggressive at the catch point and win one-on-one throws.

Smith recorded over 100 receiving yards three times this season and logged at least eight catches in a game this season. He face better competition in the ACC, but he has a wealth of experience to hold his own.

Clemson football transfer targets

As Clemson prepares to face Texas in the first round of the CFP on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, TNT) in Austin, Texas, it is eyeing some roster needs in the portal too.

According to ESPN, it will host Purdue transfer edge rusher Will Heldt. Clemson needs another pass rusher that can pressure the quarterback opposite of T.J. Parker.

Another transfer need is at safety. R.J. Mickens will be gone, Tyler Venables can either depart or return because of a COVID year and Sherrod Covil Jr. reportedly entered the portal. Clemson came into the 2024 season with 10 safeties and could be at eight (including incoming signee Jakarrion Kenan).

Only Mickens, Khalil Barnes and Kylon Griffin made starts at safety this season. Clemson can add a proven safety through the portal and have him play alongside Barnes to strengthen its back end.

When does transfer portal close?

The portal is open until Dec. 28 or five days after the final game for players on teams that are playing in the postseason. Players on teams that undergo a head coaching change outside the traditional window will have 30 additional days to enter.

Players can commit to a new school at any time, whether or not it is within the transfer window. Players hoping to enroll for spring practice must commit by early January, but players who enter the portal in the fall are allowed to commit and then join the team during the summer.

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00