Transfer defensive end from Big Ten commits to Clemson football, Dabo Swinney

Former Purdue defensive end Will Heldt has committed to play for the Tigers and coach Dabo Swinney starting in 2025, he announced via social media on Thursday. He is the first scholarship defensive player Swinney has landed into the portal.

Held has two years of eligibility left, the school confirmed.

Clemson had used the portal minimally under Swinney since its creation in 2018 and was the only non-service academy FBS school that didn’t take a transfer for 2024.

Now, the Tigers have added two in the last four days between former FCS Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Tristan Smith and Heldt.

Heldt (6-foot-6, 265 pounds) projects as an immediate starter for Clemson next year at a position where the Tigers struggled in 2024, outside of star DE T.J. Parker.

Heldt was productive on a bad Purdue team this season, racking up 56 total tackles (37 solo), five sacks and a fumble recovery touchdown in 12 games. The Boilermakers went 1-11 (0-9 Big Ten) and coach Ryan Walters was fired.

A large portion of Heldt’s sophomore year production (2.5 sacks of his five sacks, as well as the aforementioned 16-yard scoop-and-score) came in a two-game stretch against No. 23 Illinois and No. 2 Oregon in October.

Heldt also visited LSU and Texas A&M after entering the transfer portal. The defensive end was reportedly on Clemson’s campus for an official visit from Sunday to Tuesday as the Tigers prepped for their first-round playoff game at Texas.

247Sports considers Heldt the No. 58 overall prospect in the portal and No. 9 edge rusher, a big boost for a Clemson team that lacked a star at that spot behind Parker.