Swinney had long been opposed to utilizing the transfer portal since it was created back in 2018, resisting the urge to bolster Clemson's roster with incoming talent from other collegiate programs. That changed Monday after the Tigers locked down their first-ever non-quarterback transfer portal commitment.

The Tigers added a commitment from a transfer portal wide receiver Tristan Smith, who announced his decision Monday in an social media post. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound junior pass-catcher most recently played for Southeast Missouri State, where he had 76 catches for 934 yards and six touchdowns in the 2024 season.

Clemson made history by landing JUCO wide receiver Tristan Smith out of Southeast Missouri State, marking the Tigers’ first-ever transfer portal acquisition o

The Clemson Tigers brought quarterbacks Hunter Johnson and Paul Tyson in via the transfer portal in 2022 and 2023 but have failed to add a single player outside of the two passers who busted. On Monday,

Clemson football has added a new wide receiver through the NCAA transfer portal. Tristan Smith, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound receiver from Southeast Missouri State, announced his commitment to the Tigers on Monday following a visit to campus.