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Clemson football lands Tristan Smith from transfer portal. How wide receiver fits in plan
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- Clemson football lands Tristan Smith from transfer portal. How wide receiver fits in plan
CLEMSON — Clemson football added its first-ever non-quarterback skill position transfer portal player 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 past season. He has one year of eligibility remaining after playing for Southeast Missouri State, an FCS school, and two seasons at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas .
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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
The Tigers 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).
Smith will be the tallest wide receiver on Clemson's roster.
How Tristan Smith will fit on 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 involved in the starting rotation. His size allows him to be aggressive at the catch point and win one-on-one battles.
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Smith had more than 100 receiving yards in three games and at least seven catches in eight games this season. He faces better competition in the ACC, but he has a wealth of experience to hold his own.
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Clemson football transfer targets
As Clemson prepares to face Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, TNT) in Austin, Texas, it is eyeing some other roster needs in the portal, too.
According to ESPN, the Tigers will host Purdue transfer edge rusher Will Heldt . Clemson needs another pass rusher who can pressure the quarterback opposite T.J. Parker.
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Another transfer need is at safety. R.J. Mickens will be gone, Tyler Venables can depart because of a COVID year and Sherrod Covil Jr. reportedly has entered the portal. Clemson went 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 the 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.
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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
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football gets receiver Tristan Smith from transfer portal
