Overview
- Filed in Pickens County, S.C., the Jan. 21 lawsuit seeks an injunction that would allow the Clemson wide receiver to play an additional season.
- The case follows an NCAA denial last fall of Clemson’s waiver request on Smith’s behalf under the association’s five‑year, four‑season rule.
- Smith’s complaint cites Diego Pavia’s court‑backed extension and other JUCO cases as evidence of inconsistent waiver decisions.
- He alleges losses of roughly $300,000 to $600,000 in NIL opportunities and potential revenue share tied to a sidelined season.
- The suit asserts tortious interference and breach of contract via a third‑party‑beneficiary theory, and a judge denied immediate practice access while scheduling a fuller hearing.