CLEMSON — Clemson football wide receiver Tristan Smith admitted he was nervous Saturday.
The 6-foot-5 wideout, who transferred from the FCS’ Southeast Missouri State in December, played in a stadium filled with 35,000 people, according to Clemon’s radio broadcast. His former school’s stadium holds only 11,015.
“It was a lot of people there, so I was really nervous,” Smith said.
Smith’s nerves subsided when he made his first catch, which went for 30 yards. He added another big grab in the third quarter, a 27-yard gain for which he got a foot down to complete a contested sideline snag.
Another came for Smith in the fourth quarter, spinning to catch a contested pass and breaking away from defenders to score a 72-yard touchdown. He finished with five catches for 137 yards to lead Clemson in receptions and receiving yards.
“If we don’t have the opportunity to create that (in a spring game), he’s going into (the LSU game) with nothing. He’s never played in front of probably a crowd like that,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “We kind of forced some things that way because we need him.”
Smith is among six wide receivers Swinney believes are capable starters and will make the NFL. Swinney also believes the group of Smith, Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore, Tyler Brown and Cole Turner will come in “waves of terror” next season.
“When the first group comes out, the second group comes in, (and) it’s the same thing,” Smith said. “When the third group comes in, it’s the same thing. It’s no drop-off. Everybody’s amazing.”
The unit showed Saturday why it has the capabilities to torment opposing defenses in 2025. Williams, Wesco and Moore all started in the spring game but dawned green “non-tackle” jerseys. Williams, who returned for his fourth season instead of entering the NFL draft, showcased his talent to catch two…
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Publish date : 2025-04-05 23:20:00
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