Clemson Wide receiver Tristan Smith recorded a major win against the NCAA on Friday after the Pickens County Court in South Carolina gave a temporary injunction that keeps his 2026-27 eligibility hopes alive.

Back in January, Smith sued the NCAA after the organization denied him a waiver for a fifth season of eligibility. The Tigers' WR argued that the decision was a “hallmark of capricious and arbitrary treatment” based on similar waivers that were granted to former junior college players in the past.

Indeed, his assessment was right. The class of 2024-25 received an extra year of eligibility after Diego Pavia won the lawsuit. However, that very same extension was not provided to the players of the 25-26 class, which also included Smith.

So, when Tristan challenged the NCAA's decision by citing the Pavia case as a precedent, the ruling ultimately went in his favor, with Judge Jessica A. Salvini of South Carolina's 13th Judicial Circuit pointing to the eligibility cases of Diego Pavia and Malik Benson.

“The NCAA is restrained and enjoined from enforcing, applying, or attempting to enforce the November 14, 2025, denial of Mr. Smith’s waiver declaring him ineligible to compete in the 2026-2027 football season of competition at Clemson University. The NCAA shall declare Mr. Smith immediately eligible for competition during the 2026 – 2027 season,” Judge Jessica Salvini wrote in her ruling on Friday

Following the ruling, Tristan Smith will be eligible to play in the 2026–27 season. That said, fans appear to be somewhat divided.

Court Sides With Tristan Smith, Leaving Fans Angered

Fans were not happy after the court ruled in favor of Smith. A fan claimed that the NCAA's Pandora's box had already been opened, 

“Thank Diego Pavia and Chambliss, for showing everyone the way to temporary eligibility. They opened Pandora's box; now you see the beginning of the end of the NCAA.”

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia disrupted the college sports landscape by suing the NCAA over its eligibility restrictions. He specifically targeted how the association counts junior college (JUCO) seasons against an athlete's Division I playing clock 

While the proceedings worked in favor of the players, some fans believe the sport may be entering a troubling phase following a series of recent injunction losses for the NCAA. As one fan put it, “Clemson football just ruined college football, where’s the integrity at?”

One of the fans opined, “This is why it’s so important to shut this Sorsby thing down. You let one, you have to start letting others.”

Recently, Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby's injunction has drawn the ire of the football fraternity, as many believe that, despite admitting to placing $90,000 in sports bets, including wagers involving his former teams, allowing him to play is a step too far.

“What’s funny is it still comes back to yall. It’s why people were so mad,” commented a fan, referring to the lawsuit.

Last but not least, one fan added, “17 times now the NCAA has lost an Injunction hearing. Precedent was set long before Sorsby.”

While fans may not be in the mood to accept the ruling, Smith and his team are certainly pleased with the outcome. That said, what are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi