Dabo Swinney has faced criticism for not utilizing the transfer portal like other top programs have. Even in the age of players moving yearly, Swinney and the Tigers had rarely utilized the portal.
On Monday, however, the Tigers added their first-ever non-QB via the portal. Per reports, Clemson has received a commitment from Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Tristan Smith. Before Smith, the Tigers had only ever added 2 players- both QBs- via the portal.
In 2022, the Tigers added QB Hunter Johnson from Northwestern. In 2023, the team added QB Paul Tyson from Arizona State. In 2024, the team didn’t add a single player via the portal.
Smith is a solid pickup for the Tigers who could use more production at wide receiver. The FCS product caught 76 passes for 934 yards and 6 TDs for the Redhawks in 2024. Before breaking out with the Redhawks, Smith spent 2 seasons at Hutchinson Community College where he caught 16 passes for 231 yards and 2 TDs.
While Smith is the first portal addition for the Tigers, the team has had 3 players leave via the portal so far. Receivers Noble Johnson and Troy Stellato and safety Sherrod Covil have announced their intentions to play elsewhere in 2025. With 2 receivers leaving via the portal, Smith will provide depth for the group.
The Tigers are preparing to take on the Texas Longhorns in the first round of the 2024 College Football Playoff. The Tigers and Longhorns will kick off from DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.