The Arizona State Sun Devils are getting a significant boost to their defense heading into the 2026 season, as veteran edge rusher Clayton Smith has been granted a waiver by the NCAA to return for a sixth year of eligibility. The ruling allows Arizona State to bring back one of its most experienced pass rushers for another season, providing valuable continuity along the defensive front.
Smith has quietly pieced together a productive collegiate career that spans two programs and five seasons. He began his career with the Oklahoma Sooners, where he spent two years developing in Norman before transferring to Arizona State. Since arriving in Tempe, Smith has spent the last three seasons contributing to the Sun Devils’ defense, gradually establishing himself as a reliable presence coming off the edge.
Last season, Smith recorded 11 solo tackles and four sacks, which may not jump off the stat sheet compared to some of the nation’s top pass rushers, but his ability to disrupt quarterbacks and anchor the defensive front has been valuable for Arizona State. Over the course of his college career, Smith has totaled 81 tackles and 13 sacks, showing both durability and steady production across multiple seasons.
Of course, Smith’s sixth season also highlights a broader discussion surrounding the modern college football landscape and eligibility rules. In recent years, the NCAA has granted a growing number of waivers allowing players additional seasons, whether due to injuries, pandemic-related eligibility adjustments, or other extreme circumstances. The result has been an era where six-year college careers are becoming increasingly common.
That trend has raised questions across the sport about how much control the NCAA truly has over eligibility rules anymore. While critics argue that the waiver process can feel inconsistent, others believe the added flexibility provides players opportunities that may not have existed in previous eras.
Regardless of the debate surrounding eligibility, the outcome here clearly works in Arizona State’s favor. The Sun Devils will head into the 2026 season with one of their most experienced defenders returning to the lineup, a veteran pass rusher with more than 80 career tackles and double-digit sacks who can help anchor the defense for one more year.
