Clemson Defender Sees NFL Stock Rise After Week 9

While the 2026 season hasn't gone to plan for the Clemson Tigers, the football program does have some very talented players within it.

Clemson has done well over the years in developing players for the NFL, leading to many prospects hearing their names called on draft night. The Tigers have prided themselves on this, and this current team should have a few guys going early on in the 2027 NFL Draft.

One of them is star defender Will Heldt, who has seen his name shoot up draft boards of late. Heldt has impressed in his two years with the Tigers, giving thought to his name being called in the upcoming draft.

In the latest NFL Draft stock watch from analyst Daire Carragher of Pro Football Focus, Heldt was named as a player whose stock has risen. The Clemson star has continued to see his stock go up with each passing week, giving the Tigers the opportunity to have another player taken early on.

Through the first eight games of the season for Clemson, Heldt has recorded 29 total tackles (10.5 for loss), 7.0 sacks, and two pass deflections. Heldt has been a major part of the Tigers' defense this year, and he's continued to impress whenever he has been on the field.

Last season, in his first year with the Tigers, Heldt registered 46 total tackles (15.5 for loss), 7.5 sacks, and two pass deflections. Heldt made a big impression for Clemson a year ago, and he has picked up where he left off this year.

The veteran is great at pressuring the quarterback, with his pressure rate being very high this season. Heldt makes his presence known, even when he isn't able to register a sack or tackle on any given play.

The Clemson star has posted grades from Pro Football Focus over 74.0 in seven consecutive games, showing major consistency on the field. Heldt's overall score, since the season opener, comes in at 90.8, which is the second-highest total among all Power Four defensive lineman.

NFL teams will be very interested in his services, and he could be a strong producer at the next level. And given the strong reputation that Clemson has for developing players at the NFL level, especially on defense, Heldt could go early on in the draft if he were to keep up his strong play for the rest of the season.