CLEMSON — One of the biggest concerns for the Clemson football team heading into the summer centered around the punter.

All offseason, fans lamented the fact that Dabo Swinney chose not to dip into the transfer portal for a punter. And the more the fans moaned, the harder Swinney pushed back, insisting he was confident the Tigers already had what was needed on the roster.

Jack Smith, Will McCune and Robert Gunn all battled for the job throughout fall camp, with Swinney choosing not to publicly name a starter ahead of the big season opener against LSU. Smith ultimately was rewarded with the opportunity to run out there first, and after two games, he quickly silenced the doubters.

“It is just fuel for the fire,” Smith said on Wednesday from the Smart Family Media Center. “I know how good I am. I know my potential. There is nothing anyone can add to that or take away. Never let what is outside infect what is inside.”

“Obviously, you don’t want to hear it. But it feels good to kind of prove people wrong.”

Smith is now in his fourth season with the program. After patiently waiting his turn for two years, he thought he’d have an opportunity to win the job ahead of last season. However, it wasn’t meant to be, with Aidan Swanson deciding to return for a sixth season, meaning Smith would have to serve as a backup for a third straight year.

For a moment, Smith tossed around the idea of transferring out, but at the end of the day, the redshirt junior decided to stay loyal to the program that showed so much belief in him coming out of high school.

“There was a little speck of it when Aidan said he was going to come back for his sixth year,” Smith said when asked if he considered transferring. “But instantly, I thought, ‘Hey, coach Swinney bought into me when he didn’t have to.’ He bought into this guy who just came to camp, who he didn’t know anything about. Who punted in front of him and he liked it. Then he offered him a scholarship. I am going to stay bought into him because he bought into me.”

Now that patience has paid off. While Swinney didn’t inform him he’d won the starting job until two days before the start of the season, Smith never doubted that he’d be the guy. And two games in, he’s been a bright spot for a team that has experienced its fair share of struggles.

“I prepared like I was going to be a starter the whole time,” Smith said. “But Swinney didn’t tell me until Thursday. That is what I came here to do. I didn’t come here to ride the bench like I have the past couple. It was good to hear that, but deep down I knew I was going to be the guy to run out there.”