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Judge Issues Temporary Injunction Allowing Clemson Receiver Tristan Smith to Play in 2026 Season
A South Carolina judge issued a temporary injunction Friday allowing Clemson wide receiver Tristan Smith to play in the 2026 season after the NCAA denied his eligibility waiver.
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Clemson wide receiver Tristan Smith received a temporary injunction against the NCAA from a South Carolina judge on Friday, clearing the way for him to play in the 2026 season. Judge Jessica A. Salvini of South Carolina's 13th Judicial Circuit issued the ruling.
She pointed to eligibility cases involving Malik Benson and Diego Pavia, former junior college players who were granted waivers for an additional year. " She wrote: "The only material distinction the Court can identify between Mr. Benson's case, and the instant matter is that Mr.
Tristan Smith sued the NCAA in January after the NCAA denied his waiver for a fifth season of eligibility. Former junior college players in the graduating class of 2024-25 received a blanket extra year of eligibility after Diego Pavia won his lawsuit, but that extension was not granted to players in the class of 2025-26, which includes Smith. "The Marathon continues.
I'm Back," Smith wrote on Instagram. Attorney Darren Heitner, who represents Smith, called the ruling a "big win for our client" on X. "The NCAA's arbitrary application of its Five-Year Rule didn't hold up," Heitner wrote.
Smith played two years in junior college before transferring to FCS school Southeast Missouri State in 2024 and to Clemson in 2025. He started four games last season, catching 24 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown.
