Clemson WR Tristan Smith facing surgery after injury

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On Thursday night, Clemson wide receiver Tristan Smith revealed on social media that he will undergo surgery on Tuesday following an injury.

Smith shared an Instagram story Thursday showing him inside Clemson’s athletic training facility using a knee scooter, accompanied by a message reflecting on the situation.

“Just another chapter in my book that God is writing for me. Surgery on Tuesday and spirits are still high,” Smith wrote. “Thank you God.”

Smith joined Clemson ahead of the 2025 season after a standout year at Southeast Missouri State, where he emerged as one of the more productive receivers in the Football Championship Subdivision. During the 2024 season with the Redhawks, Smith recorded 76 receptions for 934 yards and six touchdowns, helping lead the program to a first-place finish in the Big South-OVC Football Association and an appearance in the FCS playoffs. His production placed him among the most consistent receivers in the subdivision, finishing among the top 20 nationally in receiving yards per game while also ranking seventh in the FCS in receptions per game.

One of Smith’s biggest performances came during the 2024 postseason when he posted career highs with 10 receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown against Illinois State in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

That breakout season made Smith an attractive transfer target, eventually bringing him to Clemson for the 2025 campaign.

In his first season with the Tigers, Smith provided depth and versatility in Clemson’s receiving rotation while appearing in 13 games and making four starts. He finished the year with 24 receptions for 239 yards and one touchdown while playing 317 offensive snaps.

Smith made his Clemson debut in the season opener against No. 9 LSU, recording his first reception as a Tiger the following week against Troy. As the season progressed, he continued to see opportunities within Clemson’s offense, including a two-catch, 26-yard performance against Syracuse and a three-reception outing for 29 yards at North Carolina.

One of the defining moments of Smith’s season came against SMU, when he hauled in a contested 23-yard touchdown on fourth-and-21, finishing the game with three receptions for 51 yards. The play marked his first touchdown in a Clemson uniform and demonstrated his ability to make difficult catches in critical situations.

Smith later made his first start as a Tiger against Duke, turning in his most productive performance of the season with six receptions for 79 yards, both season highs. He also recorded four catches for 36 yards against Florida State and contributed receptions in games against Boston College, Furman, and Penn State as Clemson’s offense rotated multiple pass catchers throughout the year.

Before transferring to Southeast Missouri State, Smith spent two seasons at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, where he began building his collegiate career. During the 2023 season, he recorded 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown, and contributed during his freshman year in 2022.

Smith originally attended LaGrange High School in Georgia, where he competed in both football and basketball before beginning his collegiate path.

Now entering the offseason following his first year with Clemson, Smith faces another challenge as he prepares for surgery and the recovery process that follows.

Who knows what happens from here? All we know is that the receiver’s message made it clear he is approaching the situation with optimism.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson WR Tristan Smith suffers injury in spring practice

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