Clayton Smith, a sixth-year senior defensive lineman for Arizona State, has been moved to the tight end position following disappointing performances from the tight end group during fall camp. Smith, who has never played offense before, practiced as a tight end on Wednesday after head coach Kenny Dillingham decided to explore all options to strengthen the team.
Originally a highly-ranked recruit from Texas, Smith was a four-star edge rusher in the Class of 202 and committed to Oklahoma. However, his time there was marred by injuries, leading him to transfer to Arizona State in 2023. In his three seasons at Oklahoma, he recorded 81 tackles, 13 sacks, and 18 tackles for loss.
Smith received a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA, allowing him to return for a sixth season in 2026. After initially being listed as an “Athlete” during spring practice, he showed promise as a pass-catcher but returned to defense at the start of fall camp. Following a poor showing by the tight ends, Dillingham opted to shift Smith back to offense.
The coaching staff is focusing on helping Smith adapt to his new role, emphasizing blocking techniques. Dillingham expressed enthusiasm about Smith's potential contributions on offense, indicating that the team plans to incorporate him into plays whenever feasible.
