CLEMSON — A hearing involving Clemson wide receiver Tristan Smith and the NCAA was heard by a Pickens County, S.C., judge Monday morning.

Smith requested a waiver for an extra year of eligibility, but was denied by the NCAA late last year. The Clemson receiver filed a complaint against the NCAA on January 21 in Pickens County after the NCAA’s decision. Clemson University is located in Pickens County.

On Monday, Smith’s team, along with the NCAA, was allowed to state their case in South Carolina’s 13th Judicial Circuit in front of Circuit Court Judge Jessica Salvini. The 13th Judicial Circuit covers Greenville County and Pickens County.

The judge did not make a ruling on Monday, but she did say she will make a ruling by the end of the week. Judge Salvini is deciding on granting Smith an injunction or not. The injunction will suspend the NCAA’s ruling and allow Smith to be eligible to play in the 2026 football season.

If Judge Salvini rules in favor of the NCAA and denies the injunction, Smith can appeal the decision. However, even with the appeal, the wide receiver’s college career will likely be done. If that is the case, Smith can enter the NFL’s Supplemental Draft.

According to CBS Sports.com, eligible prospects have until June 22 to officially apply to be entered into the draft.

“If it does not go his way, he can try to go in the NFL through their supplemental type of process, or he can stay here and flip over to the Tiger Trust because he still needs to graduate,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said back on February 25. “He could still train, be a student coach, but he could still to everything…run routes, train and stay ready and then try to get ready for the (NFL) combine and stuff.

“So, that is really where we are and hopefully, it will go his way.”

Smith spent the first two years of his college career playing at the JUCO level before moving to FCS school, Southeast Missouri State in 2024. He then transferred to Clemson for the 2025 season.

He is currently working out with his Clemson teammates after the court granted a temporary injunction earlier this year that allowed him to participate in team activities. He can workout with his team until a decision is made by Judge Salvini.

In the spring, Smith missed the second half of spring practices with an ankle injury. He had tightrope surgery in March and is expected to be ready to play this fall if he is granted another year of eligibility.

Last year, Smith caught 24 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown. He played in all 13 games for the Tigers, including four starts.