Mel Kiper suggests NFL scouts are starting to take 'a good hard look at' Will Heldt

Clemson has as loaded a defense as any unit in college football based on the names at each level. The one that has stood out the most to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., though, is one of the few portal pickups the Tigers have had in Will Heldt.

Looking ahead to five things regarding the 2026 NFL Draft on ‘First Draft’ on Wednesday, Kiper mentioned Heldt first among their topic about pass rushers and linebackers. That’s with him having emerged through two games as a transfer addition for the Tigers.

“We thought we were going to talk about T.J. Parker at Clemson, right, Keldric Faulk at Auburn, Rueben Bain at Miami – got all those guys,” Kiper said. “The guy that’s, I think, flying a little under the radar, and I think he’s going to be a national name? He was at Purdue. Nic Scourton, remember, went Purdue to Texas A&M, became a second-round pick. Will Heldt? Dabo doesn’t go into the portal hardly at all. He went in and got Will Heldt.”

Kiper was not the only one big on Heldt. His co-host, Field Yates, also had thoughts.

“I agree with Mel,” Yates said later of Heldt. “Will Heldt? True junior right now, so he could certainly return to Clemson for one more year, but he has definitely shined in the early going.”

Kiper also recently noted Heldt in an article about the draft earlier this week for ESPN. He mentioned his measurements and skill set while calling Heldt “a big win” in the portal for Swinney and as a prospect who “is playing like a first-rounder” to this point. Kiper said much of the same in this episode in the evaluation of his play so far.

“Will Heldt is about 6’5″, 6’5” 1/2, 260. I was impressed against LSU and I was impressed this past week against Troy, a game they trailed 16-3 at the half,” said Kiper. “He brings energy. Inside, outside move getting after the quarterback. Drop him into coverage. He had a great year at Purdue in 2024. He’s been outstanding so far in 2025 with the Clemson Tigers.”

“Having Peter Woods and T.J. Parker on that line has certainly helped him, but he has been the guy that has kind of stood out over those first two weeks of the season,” Kiper said.

After being one of the top transfers in the country this offseason, Heldt has made an impact immediately at Clemson. Heldt has posted eight tackles overall and a pair of sacks for the Tigers’ defense through two games, with the sacks leading the unit so far.

It’s still early when it comes to Heldt. However, with his play as of now, Kiper thinks that people and scouts are going to start taking notes on him as far as the NFL.