Clemson wide receiver Tristan Smith’s fight in court for another season of eligibility is now going to play out on a longer timetable.
Smith said that Saturday the date for his lawsuit against the NCAA was rescheduled and will be on a date later than previously scheduled, June 8, which will mark the second additional delay in a lawsuit that could decide whether he is allowed to play a fifth season in 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.”
I just wanted to take some time to thank everyone that is supporting me throughout this whole process. I know without the support I’d probably wouldn’t even be here. My court date has been moved to June 8th. Even though that might seem a ways away God never says oops. Go tigers🐅
— Tristan Smith (@DbkTristan) January 25, 2026
Smith filed suit against the NCAA officially by way of request, and on Jan. 21, he entered into a lawsuit to obtain an injunction to give Smith instant access to participating in the 2026 season at Clemson. His original petition for a temporary restraining order was denied by the judge from Pickens County, South Carolina. Another hearing over a temporary injunction was initially set for Feb. 3, then rescheduled to March 31, and a hearing on a grant was set for June 8. The JUCO transfer before had applied for an eligibility waiver in November, which the NCAA denied.
Judge Jessica Salvini said it raised questions of how the NCAA responded to Smith’s case versus others nationwide in denying the restraining order.
"The NCAA’s refusal looks arbitrary and capricious, in keeping with judicial opinions held in other districts,” Salvini wrote, citing the potential for irreparable harm to Smith’s college and professional football career, including lost NIL and revenue-sharing possibilities. Those comments are now a focal point in Smith’s legal argument as comparable eligibility challenges appear across the nation.
On-field consequences and legal argument. Smith, a 6-foot-5 receiver, played nine games for Clemson last year, starting four. He completed the season with 24 catches for 239 yards and 1 touchdown, with the most productive come against Duke when he caught six passes for 79 yards.
Smith said earlier this month that he had retained sports business attorney Darren Heitner, who has helped many college athletes in eligibility disputes, including Oregon receiver Malik Benson. Smith’s status is still pending, however, and Clemson may remain in a holding pattern as roster planning and preparation for the offseason proceeds ahead. The June hearing will be a turning point — not only for Smith, but for how eligibility waivers are assessed in a