This Clemson Tigers star has earned himself a significant ranking after making his decision on the NFL Draft.
The Clemson Tigers have lost a handful of key defensive players to the NFL Draft this offseason, with defensive tackles Peter Woods and DeMonte Capehart, edge rusher T.J. Parker, cornerback Avieon Terrell and linebacker Wade Woodaz all declaring.
However, one of Clemson's most dynamic defenders decided to stay put: edge rusher Will Heldt.
Heldt racked up 46 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 2025 and is slated to be one of the Tigers' top players next season. Along with linebacker Sammy Brown, Heldt will be leading Clemson's defense, which has plenty of question marks right now.
But Heldt himself is one of the sure things on the unit and is already drawing considerable attention heading into 2026, as Clark Brooks of On 3 has ranked Held 67th on his last of the top 100 players going into next season.
Heldt was the only Tigers player who made the list. Brown's exclusion was a bit surprising, but perhaps Brooks wants to see another impressive year out of Brown before including him.
Heldt actually began his collegiate career at Purdue in 2023 and spent two seasons with the Boilermakers, registering 56 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks and a fumble recovery touchdown in 2024.
Clemson Tigers edge rusher Will Heldt. Credit: Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.The Carmel, In. native then transferred to Clemson, where he quickly established himself as one of the top pass rushers in the ACC.
The Tigers as a whole, however, were massively disappointing in 2025.
Clemson entered the season with national championship hopes and was even ranked No. 4 in the AP poll. But the Tigers got off to a 1-3 start and finished 7-6, falling to Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl.
It marked Clemson's worst campaign since going 6-7 back in 2010, which was Dabo Swinney's second year at the helm.
The Tigers don't appear to be any better on paper as they prepare for 2026. Not only did they watch a bunch of vital defenders depart, but quarterback Cade Klubnik is also headed to the NFL, as are wide receiver Antonio Williams and running back Adam Randall.
Clemson has a host of questions on both sides of the ball, so we'll see if Swinney is able to find solutions and return the Tigers to prominence next fall.