Clemson wide receiver Tristan Smith’s legal battle with the NCAA is headed for yet another delay - and with it, the uncertainty surrounding his eligibility for the 2026 season continues to hang over the Tigers’ offseason plans.
Smith confirmed over the weekend that his court date has been pushed back once again, now scheduled for June 8. That marks the second time the hearing has been delayed, extending the timeline of a case that could determine whether Smith gets a shot at a fifth year of college football.
“I just wanted to take a moment to thank all the people that have supported me in this whole procedure,” Smith wrote on social media. “My date of court has been moved to June 8th. Even though that might seem a ways away God never says oops.”
It’s a message that reflects both gratitude and resolve - and underscores the emotional weight of a process that’s become increasingly common in the NCAA landscape. Smith, a JUCO transfer who joined Clemson ahead of last season, applied for an eligibility waiver back in November.
The NCAA denied that request. In response, Smith took legal action, filing suit in an effort to secure a temporary injunction that would allow him to play in 2026.
That initial request for a temporary restraining order was denied by a judge in Pickens County, South Carolina. A hearing for a temporary injunction was first set for February 3, then bumped to March 31, and now finally to June 8 - a date that looms large for both Smith and Clemson.
At the heart of the case is a broader question: Is the NCAA applying its eligibility rules consistently?
Judge Jessica Salvini, who presided over the initial ruling, suggested the NCAA’s handling of Smith’s case may not hold up under scrutiny. In her remarks, she noted that the organization’s refusal to grant Smith a waiver “looks arbitrary and capricious,” echoing concerns raised in similar cases across the country. Salvini also pointed to the potential for “irreparable harm” to Smith’s football future - not just in terms of lost playing time, but also missed opportunities in NIL deals and revenue-sharing that are now a central part of college athletics.
That argument - that denying Smith eligibility could cost him financially and professionally - is now central to his legal team’s case. Smith is being represented by sports attorney Darren Heitner, who has worked with a number of college athletes in eligibility disputes, including Oregon wide receiver Malik Benson.
On the field, Smith made a solid impact in his first season with the Tigers. The 6-foot-5 target appeared in nine games, starting four, and finished with 24 receptions for 239 yards and a touchdown. His breakout performance came against Duke, when he hauled in six catches for 79 yards - a glimpse of the playmaking ability that Clemson hoped to build on heading into next season.
But for now, everything is on hold. With Smith’s eligibility status unresolved, Clemson finds itself in a tough spot - trying to plan its roster and offseason workouts without knowing whether one of its key receivers will be available. The June hearing will be pivotal, not just for Smith’s future in orange and purple, but for how eligibility disputes are handled across the NCAA moving forward.
As the legal process plays out, Smith remains focused and grateful, leaning on faith and the support of those around him. His fight isn’t just about one more season - it’s about fairness, opportunity, and the evolving landscape of college football.