Clemson defensive end Will Heldt named a transfer who 'could swing' the Tigers' CFP hopes
Clemson offensive line ranked Top 10 heading into 2025 by two ESPN analysts https://t.co/McQ4hdaNG8 pic.twitter.com/G9tF8SQbEx
CBS Sports recently identified transfer portal additions who could have the biggest impact on the 2025 College Football Playoff race, and one of Clemson's newest faces made the cut.
Junior defensive end Will Heldt, a transfer from Purdue, was named the Tigers' most important portal pickup in the outlet's post-spring Top 25 feature. CBS Sports' Chris Hummer singled out Heldt as a player who 'could swing College Football Playoff hopes,' pointing to both his production and timing. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound edge rusher arrives at Clemson after two strong seasons in the Big Ten, and more importantly, he represents a rare step into the transfer portal by Dabo Swinney.
'Clemson finished last season ranked 59th in pressure rate, well below where you expect the Tigers to sit after finishing fourth, 22nd, 11th and 15th in that category across the last four seasons,' Hummer wrote. 'Heldt helps address that shortcoming. He posted 10 TFLs and five sacks for Purdue last season and should form one of the best edge rusher duos in the country with T.J. Parker. Plus, Heldt's presence itself is a bit of a swing factor in the playoff race. He's the first significant transfer take of Dabo Swinney's career.'
Heldt played in all 24 games for Purdue from 2023 to 2024, compiling 68 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, and a fumble recovery. Last fall, he started all 12 games and was second on the team in both sacks and tackles for loss while ranking fourth in total tackles. Two of his best games came in back-to-back weeks against ranked opponents, where he tallied 2.5 sacks and returned a fumble 16 yards for a touchdown.
Originally from Carmel, Indiana, Heldt was ranked No. 28 overall by ESPN among the top 100 transfer players this offseason. He was also recently featured in a CBS Sports breakdown of players 'most likely to make an immediate impact on the ACC' in 2025.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Heldt not only fills a critical need for Clemson up front, but also marks a philosophical shift for Swinney — who had long resisted the transfer portal before adding Heldt. His arrival is expected to play a significant role in the Tigers' push back into the national spotlight.
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