Will Heldt DE/EDGE Clemson |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #13 SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.80 seconds (56%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #13 | |
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.80 seconds (56%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
85.6 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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75% |
| Pass Rush: |
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92% |
| Run Defense: |
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82% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Mid
Overall Rank:
#44
Position rank:
#7 (DL)
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| College Games: 44 College Snaps: 1779 | ||
ESPN RATING: 76/100
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247 RATING: 86/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zion Young - Missouri |
|
93% |
| Bradyn Swinson - LSU |
|
90% |
| Cameron Thomas - San Diego State |
|
88% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Will Heldt was a two-time IFCA Top 50 All-State pick at Carmel High School in Indiana, where he made 190 tackles and 10 sacks in his career and was named to the IndyStar Super Team in 2022. He was a three-star recruit and chose Purdue.Heldt played in all 12 games as a freshman in 2023, then started every game in 2024, making 56 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks. He returned a fumble 16 yards for a touchdown against Illinois, served as a captain against Notre Dame and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten. He moved on after the season and committed to Clemson in December 2024, becoming Dabo Swinney's first defensive transfer.
In 2025 Heldt led Clemson in sacks and in tackles for loss, generated 45 pressures and earned third-team All-ACC, though the Tigers lost the Pinstripe Bowl to Penn State. He chose to return for 2026, saying it was either declare or come back and that coming back felt best for his future. He piled up sacks in the first three games, went quiet against Cal, Miami and Charleston Southern, then had two sacks in the loss to Virginia Tech. He has seven sacks and 30 pressures in eight starts for a 5-3 team, and Swinney has called him a great player who is about his business.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Seven sacks and 30 pressures in eight games this season
- Clemson's leader in sacks and in tackles for loss during 2025
- Holds the edge against the run, with 18 stops in 2026
- Reliable finisher who has missed three tackles in both 2025 and 2026
- Uses length and a long-arm to stack, set and shed blockers
- Productive at two Power Four programs, with three straight seasons as a starter
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Average timed speed limits his bend around the corner
- Went three straight games without a sack against Cal, Miami and Charleston Southern
- Lacks a polished counter when his first rush stalls
- Lighter frame for a base end, and big tackles can test his anchor
Scouting Report: Summary
Heldt is a complete, well-rounded edge who sets the edge against the run and rushes with length and power. He topped Clemson in sacks and in tackles for loss in his first season after transferring from Purdue, and he has seven sacks and 30 pressures through eight games in 2026. He finishes plays, with three missed tackles in both 2025 and 2026, and he gives a defense a reliable every-down player rather than a situational rusher.His 2026 season has shown both the ceiling and the questions. He piled up sacks in the first three games, then went three straight games without one against Cal, Miami and Charleston Southern before bouncing back with two sacks in the loss to Virginia Tech. He has started all eight games for a 5-3 team, and his 18 run stops show the other half of his game holding steady even when the sacks dry up. He has now produced at a high level in three straight seasons at two Power Four programs. His two sacks against Virginia Tech came in a 20-16 loss.
However, he wins with technique, length and effort more than rare bend. His timed speed is average, so he does not threaten the corner like the fastest rushers in the class, and when his long-arm stalls he lacks a polished counter. His frame is also on the lighter side for a base end, and the biggest tackles can test his anchor on power downs.
Overall, Heldt is a high-floor edge with the production and polish to contribute early on all three downs. He projects as a second-round edge defender and an early starter at base end, with a quality starter's ceiling once he adds a reliable counter. Dabo Swinney's description of him as a player who is about his business matches the tape, which shows the same effort from the first quarter to the fourth.
How other scouting services rate Will Heldt (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
39.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
6.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.