CLEMSON — Peter Woods was a little taken back when Will Heldt, who had just transferred to Clemson from Purdue, joined the defensive tackle to yell at freshmen during mat drills earlier this year.

“I was getting into a freshman or something like that and here he comes right beside me. It’s like his first day on campus, and he is yelling right beside me,” Woods said. “He was setting the tone.”

Heldt was setting the ton alright. The junior was letting his new teammates know why he decided to come and play at Clemson. He wants to win, and he wants to win now.

“It is not even the verbal pieces, it is the fact, day in and day out, practice, mat drills, workouts, he is always actively being an example,” Woods said.

Heldt is happy at Clemson because he knows he is at a place that not only wants to win, but knows how to win, and has won at a high level a lot over the years. The last two years, he has played for a Purdue program that has posted a 5-19 overall record, including a 1-11 mark in 2024.

During that same stretch, Clemson is 19-8, won an ACC Championship and played in the College Football Playoff.

“I am salivating to get those victories,” Heldt said. “To me, that is what I am all about. It is why I am here.  I want to win games and be a part of a team that competes for a national championship.”

Heldt might be the missing piece the Tigers need on defense. Last year, he finished with 56 tackles (10.0 for loss), five sacks and a fumble recovery that he returned 16 yards for a touchdown. He recorded 2.5 sacks and the 16-yard-scoop-and-score in back-to-back games against ranked opponents Illinois and Oregon last October. 

“I am super excited about Will. He brings, even off the field, he brings a lot of fire and a lot of leadership, another leadership component to this defense,” Woods said. “I really appreciate the way he has come in here. He is already like a brother to me. I am super excited to get to play with him and I am excited for y’all to get to see the stuff I have been seeing and the things that he flashes.”

The rest of Clemson will get to see Heldt on Saturday when the Tigers host their Annual Orange & White Spring Game at Memorial Stadium. The scrimmage is expected to begin at 1 p.m. It will not be televised.