CLEMSON – In 2003, 3,611 boys in the United States were named Tristan, making it the 113th most popular baby boy name that year, according to the Social Security Administration.

More than 20 years later, two of those Tristans — Smith and Leigh — are seniors on Clemson’s football team.

Leigh was asked if the duplicate names ever cause confusion in the locker room or on the field.

“I mean, maybe a little bit,” he said with a laugh. “Not really though. You would think so, especially since it’s spelled the same, and I haven’t really seen that a lot.”

While they share a name, the two Tigers play very different roles. Offensive lineman Tristan Leigh, a Fairfax, Va., native, is entering his fourth season at Clemson, with two as a permanent starter. Wide receiver Tristan Smith, meanwhile, just arrived on campus, transferring from Southeast Missouri State this offseason after a breakout year in which he tallied 934 receiving yards, six touchdown, and even a rushing score across 10 starts.

Though the Tristans are from different states and have had vastly different college experiences, the two quickly bonded over something fundamental: free snacks at Clemson’s football facility.

“One of the first conversations we had when he got here, (Smith) was like, ‘Wait, you can just go in the fridge and grab a Fairlife Milk?’” Leigh recalled. “Fairlife, that’s like five dollars a pop. He said, ‘You just go in there and grab a Fairlife?’ And I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘I’m going to like it here.’”

That moment, Leigh said, gave him perspective.

“His perspective, like me hearing that, changed my whole perspective,” Leigh said. “I’m like, man, there’s so much stuff in here that we’re so blessed to have. And for him, I’m really excited for his opportunity. He takes advantage of it every single day. I’m happy for him. He’s a great guy and one of my good friends.”

Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and receivers coach Tyler Grisham have noticed that same attitude in Smith. Riley, now in his third season at Clemson, said Smith’s game has taken a leap during fall camp.

“The offense, what we ask (Smith) to do, the fundamental technique that we teach — all that’s slowing down,” Riley said. “It’s becoming more and more muscle memory to him… He had to really grow from spring football and for us as coaches to get him to that point. I’ve seen a lot of progress with Tristan.”

Though Leigh entered Clemson as a five-star recruit ranked No. 15 nationally by ESPN, and Smith had no Division I offers out of high school, both now find themselves poised to contribute when the ninth-ranked Tigers open their season against No. 9 LSU on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., Saturday on ESPN.