ESPN ranked the top players who switched teams in the transfer portal this offseason, and Clemson’s Will Heldt made the list.

The former Purdue defensive end landed at No. 28 in the top 100 transfers rankings, which ESPN “based on production, experience, potential, demand and feedback from coaches and GMs throughout the sport.”

Heldt transferred to Clemson following two productive seasons at Purdue, where he played in all 24 games for the Boilermakers from 2023-24.

“Purdue produced one of the top edge rushers in the portal last offseason in Nic Scourton, and now Heldt looks like he’s up next,” ESPN’s Max Olson wrote. “The young rush end racked up 56 tackles, 16 pressures, 10 TFLs and five sacks while starting every game as a sophomore for the struggling Boilermakers. The former three-star recruit has plenty of room to grow but has flashed exciting potential.”

Here’s a scout’s take on the 6-foot-6, 265-pound Heldt, who joined the Tigers with two years of eligibility left:

“Heldt is an intriguing portal entry with his ability to pressure the quarterback,” ESPN’s Billy Tucker wrote. “He is an edge player with good initial quickness and solid bend to be able to get upfield and disrupt. He has developed as expected and his ceiling may not be much higher, but with his length, get-off and now experience, he brings a lot of value.”

Heldt is the No. 4 incoming ACC transfer on ESPN’s list, behind Miami quarterback Carson Beck (No. 2 overall in the ranking), Duke quarterback Darian Mensah (No. 3 overall), Florida State wide receiver Duce Robinson (No. 26 overall).

Before his college career, Heldt played at Carmel (Ind.) High School, where he was twice selected to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State team. He concluded his prep career with 190 tackles (18 for loss) and 10 sacks.

Last season, Heldt recorded 2.5 of his 5.0 sacks, and a 16-yard scoop-and-score, in back-to-back games against ranked opponents in Illinois and Oregon.

So, what is Dabo Swinney’s program getting in Heldt?

“Coach Dabo Swinney made Heldt the first-ever defensive player he signed out of the portal because he had an unavoidable need at defensive end opposite All-ACC pass rusher T.J. Parker,” Olson wrote. “Heldt will make an instant impact for the Tigers’ front and should continue to develop and get even better. There’s no doubt he checks all the boxes in terms of character and culture fit if Swinney was willing to bet on him.”

Former Clemson defensive tackle Tre Williams, who transferred to Michigan, appeared at No. 97 in the ranking. He has one season of eligibility left.

“If he can stay healthy, Williams could be a sneaky good get for the Wolverines as a veteran presence at defensive tackle for a unit that’s trying to replace the production of first-round picks Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant in the middle of its front,” Olson wrote.