With Clemson senior wide receiver Tristan Smith having spent his first two seasons at the JUCO level playing for Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, many have wondered if he might be granted an extra year of eligibility.

There are several examples of players who have played at the JUCO level being granted extra years of eligibility, most notably Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.

Smith has been attempting to get that extra year, and on Saturday, he took to social media and provided an update on his battle for an additional year of eligibility.

“Excited to announce that I have retained [attorney Darren Heitner] to help me pursue additional eligibility for my college football career and to finish strong with the [Tigers]. Grateful for his expertise and looking forward to what’s ahead. Let’s work! Go tigers!” Smith wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Heitner is a go-to guy for eligibility issues. He has helped a number of college football players get additional eligibility.

“Proud to work with Tristian Smith as he pursues additional eligibility. Tristian is a talented player who deserves every opportunity to continue his football career. Looking forward to advocating on his behalf,” Heitner wrote on X.

After transferring to Clemson ahead of the 2025 season following an outstanding 2024 campaign at Southeast Missouri State, Smith tallied 24 receptions for 239 yards and a touchdown in 317 offensive snaps over 13 games (four starts) for the Tigers in 2025.

Last season at Southeast Missouri State, he earned second-team Big South-OVC Football Association all-conference honors after catching 76 passes for 934 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games.

During his time at Hutchinson Community College from 2022-23, Smith had 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown in 10 games in 2023 after catching two passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in seven games as a freshman in 2022.