Clemson Tigers star pass rusher Will Heldt has received a bold draft prediction.
Clemson Tigers star edge rusher Will Heldt is coming off a great 2025 season. Heldt is returning to the Tigers for his senior season, and with another productive year, he could be one of the top edge rushers in the 2027 NFL Draft.
In Dane Brugler of The Athletic's early 2027 NFL Mock Draft, he has Heldt being selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the 30th overall pick.
Heldt spent the first two years of his college career at Purdue before transferring to Clemson for the 2025 season.
In Heldt's freshman season, he finished with 12 total tackles and a tackle for loss. He had a breakout season in his sophomore campaign at Purdue, as he had 56 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, and a fumble recovery.
He was a bright spot for the Tigers' defense in 2025, finishing with 46 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble.
It was an incredible season for Heldt, and if he continues to improve, he could quickly establish himself as one of the top edge rushers in the nation.
Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesClemson will need players like Heldt to elevate their production with talent like TJ Parker, Peter Woods, Avieon Terrell, and others off to the NFL.
Parker and Woods are big losses to the defensive line, leaving Heldt as their most established pass rusher. Parker posted 126 total tackles, 41.5 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks, four pass deflections, six forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries across 39 games.
Woods added pass rush from the interior, finishing with 84 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, a pass deflection, and two forced fumbles. With Parker and Woods being drafted, Heldt will now have more pressure to lead the defensive line to be a disruptive force.
Swinney must turn the program around in the 2026 season. The Tigers finished with a 7-6 record in 2025, missing out on the College Football Playoff and the ACC Title Game despite entering the season among the favorites to win the National Championship.
For Clemson to get back to being a powerhouse in College Football, they will have to lean on their best players like Heldt.
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