CLEMSON — Will Heldt got his first true taste of Clemson’s Death Valley Saturday against LSU.

The Purdue transfer took the field for the first time in orange and white, stepping into the roar of Memorial Stadium and the intensity that comes with it. Heldt recorded three tackles and a sack in his Clemson debut, flashing his discipline and steady play that coaches and teammates were excited about.

It was a strong first impression for the transfer, who stepped into a new environment and delivered in front of one of college football’s most intense atmospheres.

“All week, the way I was talking to myself was to be grateful for the moment and take it all in,” he said. “There was nothing quite like riding up on the bus the first time and seeing the stadium.”

The moment capped a journey that has stretched over three years. Heldt was a former three-star recruit coming out of high school and appeared in all 24 games during his time with the Boilermakers. Along the way, he developed a reputation as a reliable and detail-oriented player. One that thrives with structure and consistency.

“There’s only one way to attack something, and that’s doing your best and giving it your all,” he said. “That’s in anything you do. That’s just my mindset.”

Now in a new program, Heldt focuses on the “little things.” The daily habits that help him grow both on and off the field.

“I strive when I’m disciplined,” Heldt said. “When i do the same things at the same time everyday that’s when I am at my best.”

Heldt was nicknamed “the terminator” by teammates for his intense preparation and locked-in approach to the game. Rather than get caught up in trash talk or what the opposing team says, he stays focused on his job.

Last week’s LSU game was more than a debut, it was a personal milestone. Heldt described his first sack as a Tiger as a “pretty special moment,” and called playing in Death Valley “a lot of fun.”

“Out of all the environments I’ve played in, this is up there, if not the best,” he said.

Still, he knows that there is work to be done. While the defense made some good plays, their goal this week is to keep growing.

“We did some good things, but we’ve got to keep getting better,” he said.

For now, Heldt is embracing everything that comes with being a Clemson Tiger. Even off the field when he is at Chipotle.

“It tastes great, it’s good for you, and you can get a lot of calories in,” he said with a grin.

Everyone hopes Heldt keeps feasting on quarterbacks, like he did against LSU.