Defense Preparing for UNC’s ‘Dynamic Playmakers’
By: Sam Walters October 2, 2025

CLEMSON — With a week of rest under their belt, the Clemson Tigers have turned their focus to North Carolina

After a 1-3 start, the Tigers (0-2 ACC) travel to Chapel Hill, NC, to face the Tar Heels in their second road game of the season. Expectations that were held at the start of the season have certainly faded, and the Tigers now face the challenge of pushing through and focusing on the rest of the season, which begins with UNC.

Defensive end Will Heldt spoke to the media on how the team, specifically the defense, is preparing for the Tar Heels on Saturday.

“They’ve got some dynamic playmakers,” Heldt said. “They do some things well up front that we need to be prepared for. We’re excited about getting on track this week and getting after it.”

Among the stars up front for the Tar Heels are Jakai Moore, William Boone, and returning Austin Blaske on the offensive line, all attempting to block and protect for the offense. Additionally, freshman running back Demon June leads the team in rushing, with 250 yards off 33 carries, and his performances have been with the help of his protection.

The biggest topic of the week for UNC is who will be starting at quarterback, as head coach Bill Belichick has offered little to the media on who will have the definitive job. However, if Gio Lopez, the original starter for the Tar Heels this season, is unable to return from injury or compete, veteran Max Johnson will be next up. Regardless of who suits up at QB1, they will be top targets for the Clemson defense.

“Obviously, one of them is a little bit more of a runner than the other, so I think that’s something to be cognizant of, especially from a defensive line standpoint,” Heldt said. “I think we are ready to go, and we’re not too worried about that. We’re more so worried about what we have to do on our side.”

The Tar Heels (2-2, 0-0 ACC) have one of the lowest averages for yards per game this season among Power 4 teams, with 263.5 yards on average. Despite lower total stats, the team still is a threat under Belichick as head coach and in a home environment.

“I think that it is a cool opportunity,” Heldt said. “Obviously, you dream about playing against a coach like that. We grow up watching guys like that, so that’s exciting.”

Heldt and the Clemson defense will get a chance to stifle the UNC offense when they travel to Chapel Hill on Saturday at noon (ESPN).

Clemson defensive end Will Heldt (13) brings down Georgia Tech wide receiver Malik Rutherford (8) during the first quarter Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. (Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider)