Former Purdue defensive end Will Heldt felt plenty of love on his visit to Tiger Town during the transfer portal recruiting process.

Heldt, who transferred to Clemson after two seasons at Purdue, reflected on his commitment to the Tigers during the latest episode of Clemson Football’s official podcast, 2 Right Turns.

Before he signed with Clemson on Dec. 19, Heldt traveled to Clemson for a visit earlier that week and was pleasantly surprised when he was taken to head coach Dabo Swinney’s house for dinner.

The productive edge rusher was also surprised when a slew of current Clemson players and coaches came over to Swinney’s house for Heldt’s dinner there to meet with him.

“So, that was actually a little overwhelming, but also awesome,” Heldt said. “So, I was just coming from another visit, and (Director of Recruiting) Ty (Clements) picked me up from the airport, took me straight to Coach Swinney’s house. I had no idea what to expect, I just knew we were going to have dinner with Coach Swinney. I was like, ‘Oh wow, Dabo Swinney, dinner at his house, that’s crazy.’

“And then we roll up and there’s 20 players and what seemed like the entire coaching staff, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I didn’t know what to think. But it was a cool moment to just finally get around and start feeling what it really was like around here.”

After spending time with Swinney, Heldt came away highly impressed by the Tigers’ head man and his authenticity.

“You hear things through the media about Coach Swinney and about Clemson, and it really just comes down to when you meet him and you get to know him, there’s nobody more genuine than him,” Heldt said. “When you talk to him, you talk a little football, but you’re really just talking person to person, heart to heart, and he’s getting to know you. You’re talking about how you grew up, the experiences you’ve had throughout your life, and it really is a true connection.”

Heldt played in all 24 games for the Boilermakers across his two seasons at Purdue from 2023-24. As a sophomore this past season, Heldt was credited with 56 tackles (10.0 for loss), 5.0 sacks and a fumble recovery he returned 16 yards for a touchdown. The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder recorded 2.5 sacks and the 16-yard scoop-and-score in back-to-back games against ranked opponents against Illinois and Oregon in October.

A native of Carmel, Ind., the 19-year-old Heldt joined the Tigers with two years of eligibility left.

It’s clear that Clemson’s current roster and present leadership played a big part in Heldt ending up with the Tigers.

“Yeah, I mean, no doubt,” he said. “I think one of the biggest things was getting around the guys. It really is unique here, it’s different. You walk around the building, you don’t walk past anybody without saying ‘what’s up’ to anybody. So, it really is just a surreal like building moment here where everybody knows everybody. It’s a real tight-knit group.”

Heldt is one of three players that Clemson signed from the transfer portal this offseason, along with former Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Tristan Smith and former Alabama edge rusher Jeremiah Alexander.

You can check out the 2 Right Turns episode featuring Heldt, Smith Alexander below:

–Photo courtesy Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images