Clemson Tigers Star Receives Major NFL Draft Update

The Clemson Tigers have quite a few players who could get selected in the early rounds of the 2027 NFL Draft, and one of them is defensive end Will Heldt.

Heldt is now in his second — and final — season at Clemson after transferring over to the Tigers following two years at Purdue.

The dynamic pass rusher displayed tremendous potential with the Boilermakers, and he has definitely improved even more at Clemson.

After registering 46 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks during his debut campaign in Death Valley, he has already racked up 29 stops, 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks through eight games this seaon.

Many had Heldt pegged as a potential first-round talent heading into the campaign, but in a deep edge rusher class, Heldt could ultimately slip to the second round.

In fact, that's where ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. seems to think Heldt will land.

Kiper provided an update on the 6-foot-6, 260-pound senior in a recent piece, claiming that Heldt is currently a Day 2 prospect with four games left in the regular season.

Heldt obviously still has some to bolster his draft stock between now and the end of the campaign, and it will also largely depend on how he does at the Scouting Combine.

But one thing is for sure: Heldt is absolutely one of the better defensive ends heading into the 2027 NFL Draft.

The 21-year-old arrived at Purdue in 2023, but didn't get much playing time during his freshman campaign. The following year, Heldt broke out, rattling off 56 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Heldt then entered the transfer portal, and Clemson jumped on him. Given how rarely Dabo Swinney utilizes the portal, you know how badly he must have wanted him.

Kiper noted how "polished" Heldt looks as a pass rusher and that he is "quick to diagnose and takes good angles to the QB."

It also helps that Heldt possesses the versatility to play standing up or with his hand down in the dirt, although his size sometimes results in him playing too upright.

Heldt still has some things he needs to work on before his collegiate career concludes, and there is no question he has some question marks that could ultimately knock him out of the first round regardless of his production.

One thing is for sure, though: Heldt will hear his name called relatively early in April.