Clemson defensive end Will Heldt made his presence felt in the Tigers’ opener against LSU, recording his first sack in orange and white. Today during player availability for the media, he reflected on the milestone moment, his Death Valley debut, and the disciplined approach that drives his game.
A Special First Sack
For Heldt, that first sack as a Tiger was a long time coming. “That was a pretty special moment for me,” he said. “It’s been a long time leading up to that first one, and I was really excited to have that. It was a lot of fun being in the Valley for the first time.”
The play came off a defensive stunt that allowed him to shoot through a gap. “We had a little stunt on and I was able to get past the tackle, get vertical, and just made the play,” Heldt explained.
Taking in the Valley
Like many first-year Tigers, Heldt described his first gameday in Death Valley as unforgettable. “All week and then leading up to that moment, my way I was talking to myself to just be grateful for the moment and take it all in,” he said. “There was nothing quite like riding up on the bus first time, seeing the full stadium, it’s pretty sweet.”
Having played in other big venues before coming to Clemson at Purdue, Heldt put Clemson’s atmosphere near the top. “It’s up there, if not the best,” he said. “It was getting loud out there on third downs, and the fans are a lot of fun.”
Defensive Growth Mindset
Clemson’s defense limited LSU to just 17 points despite the loss, something Heldt and his teammates view as both encouraging and a reminder of where they can improve. “As a group, we feel like we did some good things, but obviously there’s a lot to grow,” he said. “We’re never a finished product. The message this week is to continue to fine-tune where we’re at and just continuing to strive to be better.”
Even when LSU adjusted to a quicker passing game, Heldt said the defensive line still had chances. “They were getting it out quick at times, but we still had our opportunities that we need to grow and make the most of those chances,” he noted. “We’ve just got to continue to stack days and get better.”
Routine and Discipline
Coaches and teammates describe Heldt as one of the most routine-oriented players on the roster, and he doesn’t shy away from that label. “I strive when I’m disciplined and stuck to a schedule,” he said. “That’s just the way my brain works. Most of my days, usually during the week, are pretty scheduled out, breakfast, lift, another meal, getting treatment, doing rehab, and then some time for homework, maybe sneak a nap in there, prepping myself for practice, go to practice, dinner, maybe another meal after that, It helps my mind.”
He applies that same discipline to his nutrition, often turning to Chipotle for fuel. “I eat a lot of Chipotle,” he admitted with a grin. “White rice, pinto beans, double chicken, corn, salsa, cheese, and sometimes guac if I’m feeling spicy. That’s not sponsored, but it should be.” as Heldt said with a laugh.
Detail-Oriented Approach
Heldt’s teammates have also nicknamed him “The Terminator” for his robotic precision in the weight room and on the field. He embraces the reputation. “If I’m going to do something, my mindset is always I’m going to do it the right way,” he said. “There’s no sense in shortening myself. That’s in anything you do, school, life, work, whatever. That’s just my mindset.”
Locked-In Personality
Unlike some of his more vocal teammates on the defensive line, Heldt describes himself as calm and collected between the whistles. “That’s not really a big part of who I am,” he said. “I like to stay locked in, focus on my role, and feed off the energy of the crowd and my teammates. I just generally remain pretty stone cold-faced, but I just like to stay in my own lane and have fun.”
With his first sack in the books and his first taste of Death Valley behind him, Will Heldt now turns his attention toward building on that debut. His discipline, attention to detail, and quiet intensity suggest that this is only the beginning of what he hopes will be a long list of big moments in a Clemson uniform.
