Clemson football hosts Purdue transfer Will Heldt, per report

On December 16, 2024By Littum

Has Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney changed his stance on the transfer portal?

The Tigers are the hosts Purdue transfer edge rusher Will Heldt for visits in the next few days, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Heldt is also visiting LSU and Texas A&M, per Thamel.

This potentially signals that Clemson could begin using the transfer portal, which would be a significant change for the program under Swinney. The Tigers have only ever taken two players into the transfer portal in backup quarterbacks Hunter Johnson and Paul Tyson, both of whom were essentially coaches during their time at Clemson.

Heldt is one of the best available transfer players at the moment, ranked no. 45 general transfer and no. 7 edge rusher, according to 247 The sport’s transfer rankings. The 6-foot-6 wing was a bright spot for the struggling Boilermakers in 2024, and finished with 56 total tackles and five sacks on the season.

Swinney answered questions about the transfer portal recently and gave insight into his plans to attack the portal.

“It just depends,” Swinney said when asked if Clemson would take any transfers. “If something unexpected happens. Right now, we’re not expecting anything unexpected. But who knows? It’s a good tool to know you can get a guy if you need to.”

Swinney added that he has heard those who expect Clemson to use the transfer portal to its advantage, but said Clemson doesn’t lose many players it recruits through the high school ranks.

“Everybody wants us to go to the portal, but I’m going to let you call the kids’ parents and (tell them) they’re going to have to go,” Swinney said. “I’ll let you guys call and tell them they can’t be at Clemson anymore. I won’t.”