Clemson transfers impress in the Tigers annual Orange and White Spring Game
Clemson transfers impress in the Tigers annual Orange and White Spring Game
Clemson wrapped up spring football on Saturday with its annual spring game at Memorial Stadium, concluding an important offseason for the program. The Tigers switched things up this year with an offense vs. defense format that included a unique scoring system for the defensive side. In the end, the offense came out on top, 33-15.
This spring has been especially notable because of Clemson's transfer additions — the largest group Dabo Swinney has brought in since taking over the program. Two of those newcomers made a big impression in their spring debut.
Tristan Smith, a 6-foot-5 wideout from Southeast Missouri State, turned heads with five catches for 137 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown that highlighted his size and speed. Smith brings a much-needed vertical threat to Clemson's passing game and looks like a strong addition to Garrett Riley's offense.
On the other side of the ball, Alabama transfer Jeremiah Alexander showed why he was such a key pickup. The veteran linebacker led all defenders with seven tackles and was consistently around the ball. Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen has spoken highly of Alexander this spring, and his versatility will be a major asset moving forward.An excellent start for the Tigers' two new key players.
For more, follow us on X @Clemson_Wire
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Auburn baskeball: Tigers to host A-Sun squad to close 2025 portion of schedule
Auburn baskeball: Tigers to host A-Sun squad to close 2025 portion of schedule The Dec. 29 contest will signal the second season in a row Auburn has hosted a team from the Atlantic Sun The Auburn Tigers played one of, it not the hardest non-conference schedule in program history a season ago. It paid off, with Bruce Pearl's squad racking up nation-best 19 Quadrant 1 victories on its way to the second Final Four appearance in Auburn history. While Pearl and his staff are unlikely to scheme up a schedule as difficult as last year's version, the Tigers will certainly hope to once again build up themselves before the grinding nature of the SEC season. That process, which has already included an appearance in a loaded 'Players Era' tournament field and home-and-home series contests against Houston, Purdue, and Arizona, continued this week, as CBS Sports Insider Jon Rothstein reported the Tigers are set to A-Sun program Queens to close out the 2025 portion of the schedule. The game, which is reportedly set for Dec. 29 at Neville Arena, will signal the second season in a row Auburn has hosted a team from the Atlantic Sun. Last season the Tigers beat the brakes off of in-state opponent, North Alabama, last November. The 102-69 victory was impressive at the time, but turned into an even more significant win after the Lions finished just a game shy of the NCAA Tournament last season. Queens on the other hand was not nearly as successful, although the 20-15 Royals did drive eventual A-Sun Champion Lipscomb to the brink with an 81-75 loss in the A-Sun Tournament semi-finals. Bruce Pearl's Auburn Tigers will likely be heavily favored in their final game before they ring in the new year, but the Royals, like North Alabama last year, play in a conference loaded with talent across the board. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter@TheRealBHauch
NBC Sports
3 hours ago
- NBC Sports
With wife on bag, 2015 U.S. Junior champ Philip Barbaree returns to U.S. Open
The key to Philip Barbaree qualifying for the U.S. Open? He married his caddie. Well, let's be clear. The 26-year-old Barbaree first met Chloe Lettau in late 2023. Barbaree, a former standout at LSU and USGA champion, was going on three years having not yet made a world-ranked cut. But then he earned status for last year's Canada swing on PGA Tour Americas, and two events in, with Chloe already in Alberta to watch, Barbaree asked her if she wanted to carry the bag. 'I guess,' responded Chloe, who works in medical sales and had no prior golf experience prior to dating Barbaree. That was good enough for Barbaree, who found a stand bag, made it as light as possible and packed some extra snacks. Then he went out and not only made his first cut but tied for 23rd. 'And this has been our thing ever since,' said Barbaree, who married Chloe on March 1. They celebrated their engagement anniversary in May in Peru with a 33-hole day at about 9,400 feet of elevation. It's been a decade since Barbaree defeated Andrew Orishack in the final of the 2015 U.S. Junior Amateur, where he stormed back from 5 down with eight holes to play at Colleton River to win in 37 holes. 'It one sense it feels like forever ago, and in another it feels like yesterday,' Barbaree says. He enrolled a semester early at LSU in Spring 2017, was teammates with Sam Burns and turned pro a semester early, halfway through his fifth year, in November 2020. In between, he posted the fourth lowest scoring average in Tigers' history along with eight top-5 finishes. After his sophomore season, he qualified for the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, where he shot 82-79 and beat just two players, Michael Block and Scott Gregory. 'I do feel like my game and my mind are leaps and bounds better than they were in 2018,' Barbaree said. Much of that strength came through failure. Barbaree saw just nine starts – and no weekends – on major tours in his first three years as a pro, as he cut his teeth mostly on the mini-tours. He'd be lying if he said he didn't think about changing careers during that first year. In fact, after moving back home to Shreveport following a brief stint in Dallas, Barbaree took a part-time job working for his dad, Phil Sr., who owns Superior Grill, a Mexican restaurant chain that also has locations in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. He lasted just a couple shifts. 'I started at the bottom,' Barbaree recalled. 'Bussing tables, setting tables, having to take in outside furniture. I got sick, I cut my finger, and after a couple long nights I said, I'm not cut out for this. I gotta get back out playing.' Barbaree has always been a prolific putter, and last year he made some improvements with his ball-striking after he started working with Chad Darby, who teaches out of the David Toms Academy in Shreveport. He's done a little bit of offseason speed training with long-driver Jack Smith as well. Barbaree's mental strides can mostly be attributed to Chloe, who now splits her time caddying for her husband and selling CPAP machines. 'Her not being a golfer has probably helped,' Barbaree said. 'She picks up different things than people who are. If I'm being indecisive, she'll realize it and tell me. Somebody who might play golf might try to rationalize it. She'll go, 'Well, it just seemed like you were in between clubs a lot and thinking about it more than usual.' … I feel like we always figure out little things to do better every week. 'And I definitely feel like I enjoy playing golf as much as I ever have.' Barbaree, who is ranked No. 1,000 in the world on the dot, is coming off his best finish on PGA Tour Americas, a T-3 showing in Bogota, Colombia, at the Inter Rapidisimo Golf Championship, which was shortened to 36 holes because of weather. His U.S. Open final qualifier last Monday in West Palm Beach, Florida, was also affected by storms. He was 1 over after 10 holes before rallying to card a first-round, 3-under 69 at Emerald Dunes. Then he birdied four of his first five holes of the second round before play was suspended for the day. He returned to fire a closing 64 and share medalist honors at 11 under. Now, the question is, will Chloe have to carry a tour bag around Oakmont? 'Absolutely not,' Barbaree said with a laugh. He knows the U.S. Open is as much a test of endurance, both physically and mentally, as it is an examination of all 14 clubs. Seven years ago, he wore himself out playing practice rounds and arrived on the first tee that Thursday gassed. He also understands how crucial it is to keep Chloe on the bag. Said Barbaree: 'We're not breaking up the team any time soon.'
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
LSU football makes cut for elite five-star offensive linemen after official visit
LSU football makes cut for elite five-star offensive linemen after official visit LSU football target Immanuel Iheanacho listed the Tigers in his top four, according to On3's Hayes Fawcett on Friday. The five-star offensive lineman is down to LSU, Oregon, Penn State, and Auburn. The Ducks remain the frontrunners, as On3's Prediction Machine gives them an 86.1% chance of landing Iheanacho's commitment. Steve Wiltfong logged this prediction in mid-May. Iheanacho took his official visit to Baton Rouge on May 30, with trips to the other three schools scheduled for June. He ranks as the No. 3 prospect in the 2026 class, second at his position and first out of Maryland. The Baltimore native would add to the SEC's top class in the cycle as the third offensive lineman. Jalen Chapman and Brysten Martinez locked in their decisions, both Louisiana natives. Iheanacho would be a huge get for LSU as it looks to cement the top spot across the country among 2026 recruiting class. All four major recruiting services rank Iheanacho as the No. 2 offensive tackle in the class, behind Miami commit Jackson Cantwell. With offensive line coach Brad Davis and tight ends coach Alex Atkins, LSU has two of the top offensive line recruiters in the country. LSU's top linemen usually come from Louisiana, but LSU has the resources to land a national five-star. LSU's recruiting class ranks No. 2 in the country with USC holding the top spot.
