Clayton Smith played five years of college football as a defensive end. Arizona State is trying him out at wide receiver and the sixth-year senior keeps making plays during spring practice!
He creates mismatch against any cornerback in the country.
I don’t know how the Sun Devils plan to use their monstrous defensive lineman as a pass-catcher or how often. It is the most interesting experiment in college football, even if he never plays a snap on offense.
Who is Clayton Smith?
As a native of Texarkana, Texas, Clayton Smith ranked as a four-star prospect in the recruiting Class of 2021. He was the seventh-ranked player in the Lone Star State, the second-ranked edge rusher in the country and a top-50 player overall.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound defensive lineman received more than 25 scholarship offers from schools all over the country like Penn State, Oregon, Michigan, LSU, Ole Miss and Colorado. Oklahoma ultimately received his commitment.
Smith arrived to Norman with high expectations but he did not make a huge impact with the Sooners. He took a redshirt as a freshman. An injury limited him to just four games as a redshirt freshman in 2022.
It was time for a fresh start.
Smith hit the transfer portal prior to 2023 and landed at Arizona State. His career immediately took a turn for the better upon arrival to Tempe. The 255-pound edge rusher (up 35 pounds from high school) played in 37 games over three seasons for the Sun Devils. he recorded 81 total tackles, 13 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and one forced fumble.
Smith technically exhausted his eligibility at the end of last season but an appeal to the NCAA allowed him to return for a sixth and final season because of his injury at Oklahoma. This is where things get interesting.
Arizona State is moving him from defensive end to wide receiver.
Clayton Smith is the only one of four defensive ends from Arizona State’s regular defensive end rotation from 2025 to return in 2026. However, the Sun Devils overhauled the position with the additions of Emar’rion Winston from Baylor, Jalen Thompson from Michigan State and JUCO star Kirtland Vakalahi. They are expected to play alongside returning underclassmen Albert Smith III and Roman Pitre.
Where does that leave Smith? On offense!
Arizona State lost its two biggest contributors from last season at tight end. It could use another piece at the position alongside Khamari Anderson and AJ la.
Smith made an impressive touchdown catch during a one-on-one drill last spring. Why not give him a shot?
As for the “evaluated in an offensive role” part of Chris’ report, here’s a clip of Clayton Smith lining up at WR during ASU’s main event one-on-one drill last spring, where he made an impressive TD grab 👀@SunDevilSource https://t.co/Kxmkkyg3lX pic.twitter.com/g5u37XeGhf
— Jakob Brooks (@Jakobrooks) March 7, 2026
The sixth-year senior is listed as an ‘Athlete’ on the official spring practice roster. He is only working out with the wide receiver group.
Perhaps the most fascinating experiment going on right now in college football:
— Logan Stanley (@LSscribe) March 29, 2026
ASU DE Clayton Smith making the switch to WR.
The former 5 ⭐️ recruit was on @BruceFeldmanCFB’s annual “Freaks List” last season, which ranks the most athletic players.
He’s looked good so far. pic.twitter.com/Vb0dyn0IKY
The goal is to get him comfortable as a pass-catcher because his route running could use some work.
Although there is plenty of room for improvement, Smith is a bully in contested catch scenarios.
Clayton Smith showing off his defensive end skills on this physical heavily contested catch. 😤💪
— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) March 24, 2026
Smith is converting to wideout quite well so far.@claytonsmith_10 pic.twitter.com/OfM6K0kgYX
His athleticism landed him on the ‘Freak List’ for college football last season.
Cutter Boley with a tight back shoulder fade ball to wide receiver convert Clayton Smith. 🏈@FOX10Phoenix pic.twitter.com/hjTWmy03d3
— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) March 31, 2026
Offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo is excited about Smith’s potential.
Clayton Smith is a special athlete at 6'4 255lbs. He played DE last year, but has worked primarily with ASU's WRs so far this spring.
— Jakob Brooks (@Jakobrooks) March 21, 2026
Marcus Arroyo raved about Smith's potential in an offensive role:
"Poor DBs. It's like lining up against a predator."@SunDevilSource pic.twitter.com/LCDYnoLDRS
Defensive coordinator Brian Ward will hold his judgement for now.
ASU DC Brian Ward was asked what he thought about Clayton Smith moving to offense.
— Adam Beadle (@therealbeadle) March 21, 2026
"Yeah, I got no comment…," he said jokingly 😅
"… I see the vision…"@DevilsDigest pic.twitter.com/xsOVo70xpu
Only time will tell what Arizona State decides to do with Clayton Smith. The coaching staff could decided to keep him on offense after a successful spring or move him right back to defense for fall camp. Perhaps there is a scenario where he could play both ways. He could be a crucial depth piece at both defensive end and a jump-ball cheat code at tight end!