A number of former Clemson players have taken to social media, sharing their opinions on the current team’s play thus far this season.

For example, guys such as former Clemson star defensive ends Shaq Lawson and Xavier Thomas have been publicly critical of the Tigers’ team in general and how they’ve performed so far in the 1-3 start.

Lawson called out the Tigers in a social media post after their 24-21 loss at Georgia Tech on Sept. 13 and didn’t hold back while expressing his opinion on the current roster.

“We don’t got no dawgs at Clemson,” he wrote. “That NIL change everything.”

Meanwhile, Thomas had this to say on social media after the 34-21 loss to Syracuse on Sept. 20:

“Not once would I ever & have ever spoke down on Dabo. But, the Standard will always be the Standard, & it’s not being upheld.”

On Wednesday, current Clemson defensive end Will Heldt met with the media, and he was asked about the criticisms from former players and whether that matters to him or if he cares what players from the past have to say.

“To be honest, I don’t really spend much time thinking about it,” Heldt said. “I think they’ve earned the right. They’ve put in the time and they’ve earned the right to say how they feel, say what they’re thinking. But I don’t put too much thought into that, to be honest.”

Heldt, who transferred to Clemson ahead of the 2025 season after two productive seasons at Purdue, has been a bright spot on defense this season. Through four games, the 6-foot-6, 260-pound junior has posted 16 total tackles (nine solo), six tackles for loss, three sacks and a pass breakup.

Following the open date last weekend, Heldt and the Tigers return to action at North Carolina this Saturday (noon, ESPN).