Why didn’t Clemson’s transfers play vs. LSU? Dabo explains limited usage
Dabo Swinney and Clemson football had their most active transfer portal cycle ever in 2025, bringing in a record three players from other schools.
But in Saturday’s season-opening loss to No. 3 LSU, two of them barely played.
Purdue transfer defensive end Will Heldt started the game, played 45 snaps and was impactful with four tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack. But Clemson’s other two transfers — wide receiver Tristan Smith and linebacker Jeremiah Alexander — saw limited playing time in the No. 8 Tigers’ 17-10 loss at Memorial Stadium.
Smith, from FCS Southeast Missouri State, played three of a possible 60 offensive snaps and had zero targets from quarterback Cade Klubnik. Alexander, from Alabama, did not play a defensive snap and played exclusively on special teams.
Although there’s a learning curve for any new player, and Heldt was widely regarded as Clemson’s best transfer, Smith and Alexander’s usage generated some confusion and frustration among fans following the LSU loss.
Swinney touched on both players’ situations Tuesday.
Why didn’t Tristan Smith, Jeremiah Alexander play?
Smith, Clemson’s tallest receiver at 6-foot-5, was listed as backup outside receiver behind T.J. Moore entering the LSU game. Swinney said Smith’s lack of usage stemmed from a lack of total plays (58) and general offensive rhythm.
Given how close the LSU game (no team ever led by more than a touchdown), Swinney said Clemson wanted to keep its best players in the game. At receiver, naturally that’s going to be Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr. and Moore.
Tyler Brown (49 snaps) also played a lot after Williams’ opening-drive hamstring injury. Among Clemson’s other receivers, Smith (three snaps) was outsnapped by Cole Turner (nine snaps). Turner had one target and zero catches.
“Just rolling with the best guys,” Swinney said, noting that Clemson had a set receiver rotation early on against LSU but the drive Smith got in on resulted in a three-and-out. “So now the next guy’s back up and maybe he went nine plays.”
Smith’s going to play “a ton” this year, Swinney added.
As for Alexander: Swinney said the Alabama transfer’s lack of defensive snaps was once again the result of performance and game flow, which led to starting linebackers Wade Woodaz and Sammy Brown playing heavy snaps vs. LSU.
Alexander is currently listed as a co-backup at middle linebacker on Clemson’s depth chart. Swinney said linebacker Kobe McCloud has beaten out Alexander, Dee Crayton and Jamal Anderson to be the “next man in” at middle linebacker (Brown’s position) and strongside linebacker (Woodaz’s position).
“It’s a one-play game ... and Sammy and Wade are our best two guys right now,” Swinney said. “They earned that, so they got the majority of the reps. ... Dee and Jeremiah are right there (behind McCloud). They’re right there, for sure.”
Next Clemson game
Who: No. 8 Clemson (0-1) vs. Troy (1-0)
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium in Clemson
TV: ACC Network
Betting line: Clemson by 33.5 points
This story was originally published September 2, 2025 at 12:53 PM.
