Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney may not be fond of the NCAA transfer portal, but he seems open to using it for one notable Big Ten transfer.
Swinney and the Tigers are set to host Purdue defensive end Will Heldt in the coming days, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Although Clemson has never signed a defensive player through the transfer portal, they are willing to make an exception for Heldt, who is considered one of the top defensive talents in this cycle.
Heldt has recorded 68 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and five sacks over 24 games at Purdue throughout his college career.
Most of that production came in the 2024 season when the 6-foot-6 edge rusher stood out on a Purdue team that finished 1-11 and 0-9 in Big Ten play.
Heldt had 56 tackles in 2024, including all of his career sacks, earning recognition as the No. 7 edge rusher in the transfer portal according to 247Sports.
However, Clemson will face competition for Heldt’s services, with LSU and Texas A&M also showing strong interest and planning to host him.
Swinney has long been cautious about using the transfer portal but has said that he would consider adding a transfer if it would benefit the team.
“It just depends,” Swinney has said about taking transfers. “If something unexpected happens, we’ll see. But who knows? It’s a good tool to know you can get a guy if needed.”
Clemson is one of four FBS schools that have not added any transfers this season and the only Power Five program not to sign a portal player. However, it seems the school might make an exception this time.
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