Tennessee Lands Clemson Right‑Hander Hayden Simmerson

Image: Sophia Rodriguez

By Aidan Sidoti

KNOXVILLE – Tennessee added its tenth transfer portal commitment on Thursday morning, landing Clemson right‑hander Hayden Simmerson, Mike Wilson of VolQuest first reported. The Salisbury (NC.) native becomes the latest arm to join Josh Elander’s pitching staff.

Eligible for this weekend’s MLB Draft, Simmerson was electric during his lone season at Clemson. As a junior, he appeared in 19 games for the Tigers,all out of the bullpen, and posted a 1‑2 record with a 3.62 ERA, four saves and 46 strikeouts across 32.1 innings pitched.

Simmerson began his college career at Division II Catawba in Salisbury, spending two seasons there before transferring to Clemson. Listed at 6‑foot‑2 and 205 pounds, he becomes the third right‑handed pitcher to commit to Tennessee out of the transfer portal, joining Braydon Kersey and Parker Detmers.

BREAKING: Clemson transfer RHP Hayden Simmerson has committed to Tennessee, @Volquest_On3 first reports 🍊

The rising senior was one of the Tigers top relievers in 2026, posting a 3.62 ERA and four saves.

Simmerson, who is eligible for this year’s MLB Draft, spent two years at… pic.twitter.com/Xiom5Y0Coy

— FOX Sports Knoxville (@FOXSportsKnox) July 9, 2026