Tristan Smith Bursts Onto the Scene in Spring Game Showcase
TAKE ADVANTAGE → Get THREE Months of CST+ for just $1.00
He doesn’t say much. That’s what Dabo Swinney will tell you about Tristan Smith. But on Saturday in Death Valley, the newest name in Clemson’s receiver room let his game speak volumes—hauling in five catches for 137 yards and a score in a spring game performance that turned heads.
The Southeast Missouri State transfer wide receiver lit up the Orange and White Spring Game, leading Clemson’s offense to a 33-15 win over the defense in front of thousands of fans in Memorial Stadium. The LaGrange, Georgia native didn’t just flash potential—he played like someone who plans to be in the rotation when the Tigers open the 2025 season at home, in Death Valley, against LSU.
“It felt amazing,” Smith said with a smile afterward. “I'm not gonna lie, it felt amazing.”
It was the type of debut Clemson fans—and coaches—were hoping to see from the portal pickup, who spent time in junior college before two years at SEMO. But even Smith admitted the atmosphere got to him early.
“I was nervous. It was a lot of people there,” he said. “But at the end of the day, we’ve got some great playmakers on both sides of the ball, and I'm feeling really good about what this team's gonna do.”
Swinney took note—not just of the numbers, but of the stage Smith stepped onto.
“I mean for him to make those plays?” Swinney said. “You talk about the steps you take in the offseason, how big of a boost. Man, just confidence that will grow. Again, if we don't have the opportunity to create that environment, he's going into that (LSU) game with nothing.”
Swinney made it clear: Smith isn’t a depth piece. He’s a necessity.
“We really forced some things that way, because we really wanted to—we need him,” Swinney said. “I've said this a couple of times. We've seen enough of No. 1 and No. 12 and No. 0 to know that, ‘hey, them guys, they're gonna be ready for the show.’ But Tristan was the guy that we needed to get going.”
With a wide receiver room that’s looking deeper and more confident heading into the fall, Smith adds a new layer—a long, vertical threat who’s bought in on the process and fits the mold of what Clemson was searching for this offseason.
“I'm just proud of him,” Swinney said. “He put his head down. He's just a humble kid who doesn't say much; he just works. As you all can see, when you get up on him, he is long. Just what I saw on tape, I was like, you know what, this is the guy.”
Smith kept it simple. Do your job. Stay locked in. Make a play when it comes.
“I really made it where I have to go out there and just be myself and make plays for the team,” he said. “Just get the plays down and a big play is gonna come.”
It came—and if Saturday was any indication, more are on the way.
