Clemson LB enters transfer portal

TigerNet Staff by

Clemson graduate linebacker Shaq Smith has entered the NCAA transfer portal, a source confirmed on Wednesday. He could transfer and play immediately.

He was expected to compete for a starting role. Smith totaled 29 tackles with a sack and interception over 203 snaps in 26 games.

He was rated as a five-star prospect of IMG Academy.

Smith said this spring he was eager for a bigger role.

“Exciting is an understatement for me, I am going on year four and I've been around some great guys. I've been here since Ben Boulware and Dorian (O'Daniel) and Kendall (Joseph) and JD (Davis) and Tre (Lamar),” Smith said. “All are great guys and all are great leaders and all are great players. So to be able to sit behind those guys, watch those guys lead, you know, watch those guys, even the front four like Christian (Wilkins) and Clelin (Ferrell) and all of those guys - to watch them, to see them and how they love their teammates or how they work and how they helped take this team to the top.

“And now it's a chance for me to be in the exact same role. It's a great feeling because I feel like I've had

great examples since I've been here and for it to be my time is a great feeling. I feel like I have natural leadership ability, and after watching the guys who have been great leaders that came before me and taking some basic pieces from them I feel like helps me in that leadership role. And I feel like I have a lot of respect from the guys on my team. To be a great leader, you have to be a great follower and I’ve always been a follower."