With the 2025 college football season in the rearview mirror, On3 has already looked ahead to the 2026 campaign and ranked the top 100 players in the country.

One returning Clemson star on the defensive side of the ball – rising senior edge rusher Will Heldt – landed at No. 67 among On3’s way-too-early top 100 players for the 2026 season.

Heldt led Clemson in tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (7.5) in his first season as a Tiger in 2025, becoming one of only 14 players nationally — alongside fellow Clemson defender Sammy Brown — to post 10-plus tackles for loss and five or more sacks in each of the last two seasons.

The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Heldt earned third-team All-ACC honors this season. He also tallied 48 tackles, four pass breakups and a forced fumble while starting all 13 games.

Of course, Heldt transferred to Clemson last offseason following two productive seasons at Purdue. He played in all 24 games for the Boilermakers from 2023-24, totaling 68 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks and a fumble recovery over his two seasons.

In December, Heldt explained his decision to return to Clemson for his senior season in 2026, rather than declare for the 2026 NFL Draft.

“Pondering on that for the last few weeks, praying, talking to family and talking to staff and teammates, and just felt it was best for my future,” Heldt said. “But just excited about the opportunities that this place gives me, excited to develop myself further and chase a championship next year with these guys.”

During the 2026 regular season, Clemson is slated to face several players who are ranked among the top 25 players for 2026 by On3 – South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart (No. 3), Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney (No. 4), LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt (No. 11), South Carolina offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak (No. 14) and South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (No. 23).