Will Heldt has been one of the most productive players on the Clemson defense this season.

The transfer from Purdue has been a frequent bright spot along a defensive front that has failed to live up to lofty preseason expectations.

After registering six sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in his first season with the Tigers, fans have wondered if Heldt might forgo his senior season in favor of entering the NFL Draft.

“I think there will be time for that moving forward,” Heldt said on Tuesday. “Just focused on South Carolina.”

Across his first two seasons at Purdue, Heldt produced five sacks and 11 tackles for loss. The junior pass rusher feels like he’s experienced a lot of growth during his debut season with the Tigers.

“I feel like I have taken a jump,” Heldt said. “Just in playmaking ability and just steadily improving. Proud of what I have put on tape this year and excited to finish strong.”

With the win over Furman last week, Clemson became bowl eligible for the 27th straight season. For Heldt, it was a first, seeing as the Boilermakers never qualified for the postseason during his two years with the program.

“I am really grateful for that,” Heldt said. “I was telling someone the other day that I have doubled my win count here just this year, although it has been a disappointing season for the standards here. Blessed to have done that and excited for that opportunity.”

However, before that, Heldt gets his first taste of the Clemson-South Carolina rivalry, something he is very much looking forward to.

“Being a guy from the Midwest, obviously, I didn’t know a ton about it until I got here,” he said. “Just getting into it, I think it is going to be really exciting and a fun atmosphere.”

Photo by Bart Boatwright