Will Heldt was not expecting a call from Clemson, Dabo Swinney

When Will Heldt entered the transfer portal after a tough stretch at Purdue, he expected interest from Big Ten programs or other Midwest schools. What he didn’t anticipate was a call from Clemson—especially considering the Tigers’ historically cautious approach to the transfer portal.

Heldt was caught off guard when defensive ends coach Chris Rumph reached out, and even more surprised when he received a FaceTime call from Dabo Swinney. The unexpected interest from one of college football’s premier programs quickly changed the course of his recruitment.

Clemson wasn’t the only major program to pursue Heldt, as LSU and Texas A&M also showed interest. However, after back-to-back losing seasons at Purdue—including a 1-11 campaign in 2024—he wanted to join a team that knew how to win. Over the past two seasons, Clemson has posted a 19-8 record, won an ACC title, and reached the College Football Playoff.

“I’m starving for wins,” Heldt said, eager to contribute to a program with championship aspirations.

The 6-foot-6, 265-pound junior could be a valuable addition to Clemson’s defensive front. He recorded 56 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and five sacks last season, including a fumble return touchdown against Oregon. Now, he’s focused on helping the Tigers return to the top of college football.

For Heldt, Clemson represents more than just a fresh start—it’s an opportunity to compete at the highest level and be part of a winning culture.

This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Will Heldt was not expecting a call from Dabo Swinney, Clemson

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/heldt-not-expecting-call-clemson-185842026.html

Author : Clemson Wire

Publish date : 2025-03-11 18:58:00

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