Report: Clemson to host Purdue transfer EDGE Will Heldt on visit

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Clemson will host Purdue transfer EDGE Will Heldt for a visit in the coming days. A rare sighting of the Tigers and Dabo Swinney being active in the NCAA transfer portal, Heldt will get a first-hand look at the program.

“Clemson is set to host Purdue transfer edge rusher Will Heldt on a visit in the upcoming days, his agents @gcsportsmgmt tell ESPN,” Thamel said via X. “Clemson has not ever taken a scholarship defensive player from the NCAA transfer portal. Heldt has two years remaining.”

As Thamel notes, Clemson has never taken a defensive player out of the portal. A few offensive players have transferred in but never made an on-field impact. Two, Hunter Johnson and Paul Tyson, wound up being backup quarterbacks while wide receiver Blackmon Huckabee only played in three games for the Tigers.

Heldt going to Clemson would be quite the story for multiple reasons. Least discussed of which would be the value he brings to the 2025 roster. In 24 games at Purdue, Heldt recorded 68 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, and five sacks. Most of the production came this past year, being a monster off the edge for Boilermakers under Ryan Walters.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

Other big-time schools are thought to be in the mix for Heldt, specifically in the SEC. LSU and Texas A&M are competing for his services, even getting him to visit Baton Rouge and College Station. Now, Clemson appears to have arrived at the party.

Heldt played high school football at Carmel (IN) High School, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 679 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Production has certainly outplayed the high school ranking Heldt had. Whoever winds up landing the EDGE rusher will be getting a top player.