When Clemson kicks off the 2025 season against LSU on Saturday night, Will Heldt will appear in his first game for Dabo Swinney’s Tigers.

Of course, Heldt transferred to Clemson this offseason following two productive seasons at Purdue, and on Tuesday, Swinney gave his assessment of what he saw from Heldt during preseason camp.

Clemson’s head coach had plenty of praise for the 6-foot-6, 260-pound defensive end.

“He’s a great player,” Swinney said. “He’s bought in. He’s really been a great fit for us. He’s about his business.”

Swinney added that Heldt always goes above and beyond what’s asked of him.

“I mean, like, if this is what’s required,” Swinney said, pointing at shoulder length, “he’s always up here,” Swinney said, pointing above his head.

“It’s just who he is, every day.”

Heldt played in all 24 games for the Boilermakers from 2023-24, totaling 68 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks and a fumble recovery across his two seasons.

Last season as a sophomore, he started all 12 games and finished second on the team in tackles for loss (10) and sacks (five) while finishing fourth with 56 total tackles. The Carmel, Ind., native posted 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.

Swinney called Heldt, who joined the Tigers with two years of eligibility left, a “really, really talented player.”

“And the kids love him,” Swinney added. “He’s been a great fit for us.”