Dec 29, 2018; Arlington, TX, United States; Clemson Tigers linebacker Shaq Smith (5) celebrates a sack in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2018 Cotton Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Clemson linebacker Shaq Smith has entered the NCAA transfer portal, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.
The rising redshirt junior graduated in May, so he is eligible to play immediately as a graduate transfer.
Smith registered 16 tackles (2.5 for loss) and one sack in 15 games as a backup for the national champion Tigers last season.
Smith still has the option to withdraw from the database and return to Clemson. However, Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said during an event earlier this month that when a player enters the transfer portal, he does not expect them back.
“I mean, I think when you enter the transfer portal, it says you’re leaving,” Swinney said, according to the Charlotte Observer. “That’s what it says to me. That’s how I look at it.”
Smith redshirted in 2016 and played in 13 games in 2017, tallying 12 tackles and one interception.
A four-star recruit in Clemson’s 2016 class, Smith was rated the No. 3 inside linebacker in the nation by the 247Sports Composite that year.
