May 22 — Clemson’s Will Heldt and wideout TJ Moore have been listed as potential first‑round selections in the 2027 NFL Draft, according to a new mock draft released on Friday. The recognition arrives as the Tigers close out the 2026 NCAA Football season and gear up for postseason play.
Heldt, a 6‑4, 260‑pound defensive end from Bloomington, Indiana, entered Clemson as a graduate transfer after three productive seasons at Purdue. In 2024 he posted 5.0 sacks and 9.0 tackles for loss, earning All‑Big Ten honorable‑mention honors. The move to Clemson’s defensive line in spring 2025 gave him a platform to face faster, more athletic offensive tackles, a transition that accelerated his development under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
Moore, a 5‑11, 197‑pound native of Jacksonville, Florida, arrived on campus as a four‑star recruit in the 2023 class. He redshirted his freshman year, then contributed 38 receptions for 542 yards in 2024. By his junior campaign, he had refined his route tree, adding a polished deep‑ball technique that made him a favorite target of quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. In 2026 Moore logged 94 catches for 1,184 yards and 11 touchdowns, a production line that placed him third nationally among receivers with at least 10 touchdowns.
Head coach Dabo Swinney, whose program has consistently churned out NFL talent, praised the duo’s growth during the season. “Will’s motor and our scheme give him the freedom to attack from any angle, and TJ’s hands and route precision make him a threat every snap,” Swinney said in a post‑game press conference after the Tigers’ 38‑24 win over Miami. Their projected draft status adds another layer to Clemson’s recruiting narrative and could influence how scouts evaluate late‑season performances across the ACC.
Beyond the individual accolades, Clemson’s defensive front has benefited from a hybrid 4‑1‑3/3‑4 look that lets edge rushers like Heldt line up in a variety of stances. Venables, a former Ohio State defensive mastermind, blends a three‑technique interior rush with a wide‑nine edge set, forcing offenses to account for speed and power from multiple angles. In 2026, Clemson ranked third nationally in sack rate (9.2%) and second in tackles for loss per game (2.3), statistics that directly reflect Heldt’s 7.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss, which led the team and placed him 12th in the nation among defensive ends.
On offense, Moore thrives in Swinney’s spread‑set concepts that blend quick slants with deep vertical routes. The Tigers employ a “vertical stretch” philosophy that uses multiple receiver sets to stretch the field horizontally and vertically. Moore’s ability to create separation against top‑tier cornerbacks mirrors the skill set of recent NFL receivers—such as Ja’Marr Chavis (LSU) and DeVonta Smith (Alabama)—who transitioned smoothly from the ACC to the pro game. In coverage‑graded film, Moore posted a 92% separation rating in the final six games, the highest among ACC receivers with at least 500 yards.
What recent recognition have Clemson players received?
Both Heldt and Moore appeared in CBS Sports writer Chris Hummer’s early 2027 mock draft, which highlighted them as first‑round candidates. The mock, released ahead of the official draft outlook, signals that analysts are already tracking their senior‑year impact. Hummer noted that Heldt’s blend of pass‑rush productivity and run‑stopping ability makes him a “proto‑NFL 3‑technique defensive end,” while Moore’s route‑running consistency and yards‑after‑catch (YAC) average of 7.8 yards rank him among the elite pass‑catchers in the nation.
How did Will Heldt’s production rank within the team?
Heldt led Clemson with 7.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss last season, topping the defensive stats sheet and showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. His sack total represented 31% of the team’s total sacks, a ratio unmatched since defensive tackle Clelin Ferrell’s 2019 season. Moreover, Heldt recorded 3.2 quarterback pressures per game, a metric that placed him in the top ten nationally for edge rushers. His impact extended to run defense, where he limited opponents to 3.9 yards per carry when he was on the field, a figure 0.8 yards better than the ACC average.
How did TJ Moore’s numbers compare to his ACC peers?
Moore finished the 2026 campaign with 94 receptions, 1,184 yards and 11 touchdowns, ranking third in the ACC for receiving yards and second for total touchdowns. His catch‑rate of 71% on 132 targets placed him ahead of Notre Dame’s Michael Travis and Virginia Tech’s Jaden Cox. In addition, Moore’s 12.6 yards per reception and 1,040 yards after the catch (the most in the conference) demonstrated a rare combination of deep‑ball threat and after‑catch explosiveness that NFL scouts value highly.
Key Developments
- Chris Hummer’s mock draft listed both players as first‑round prospects, marking one of the earliest public projections for the 2027 class.
- Will Heldt transferred from Purdue before joining the Tigers, bringing experience from a Power Five program to Clemson’s defensive front. At Purdue, he logged 45 tackles for loss and 16 sacks over three seasons, giving him a seasoned edge‑rush foundation.
- Clemson’s coaching staff cited the duo’s work ethic and film‑study habits as critical factors in their rapid development. Venables noted that Heldt spent an extra 30 minutes each week on hand‑technique drills, while Swinney highlighted Moore’s nightly route‑tree walkthroughs with the offensive coordinator.
- The Tigers’ back‑to‑back top‑10 ACC finishes this decade have amplified scouts’ interest in their high‑impact playmakers. Clemson has produced 34 first‑round picks since 2005, a pipeline that adds credibility to the current projections.
- Both players earned All‑ACC first‑team honors in 2026, joining a lineage that includes defensive stalwarts like Myles Garrett and receivers such as Sammy Miller.
What does this mean for Clemson and the NFL outlook?
Should Heldt and Moore maintain their production, Clemson could see two high‑value selections, giving the program additional leverage in future recruiting battles. For NFL teams, the early buzz suggests a shift toward valuing versatile edge rushers and dynamic receivers from proven college systems. The Tigers’ success may also prompt scouts to prioritize players who excel in complex defensive schemes and route‑running concepts under Swinney’s guidance.
From a league‑wide perspective, the 2027 draft class is expected to be a “speed‑first” cohort, with analysts projecting a record number of pass‑rusher prospects selected in the first round. Heldt’s hybrid skill set aligns with the NFL’s trend toward three‑technique ends who can also drop into coverage in nickel packages, a versatility that could elevate his draft stock into the top five.
Moore’s profile dovetails with the league’s increasing reliance on slot receivers who can line up in the middle, stretch the field, and serve as safety‑valve options in the short‑pass game. Teams such as the New York Giants and the Seattle Seahawks have publicly emphasized the need for receivers who can generate YAC and maintain precise route discipline—qualities that Moore displayed consistently.
Historically, Clemson’s last two first‑round picks, defensive end Myles Garrett (2022) and wide receiver Dameon Pierce (2023), both became immediate contributors at the professional level, validating the program’s ability to develop NFL‑ready talent. If Heldt and Moore follow that trajectory, they could become the next generation of Clemson alumni to impact the league within their rookie seasons.
In the broader recruiting context, the early projections serve as a powerful tool for Clemson’s staff. Swinney’s recent recruiting class, ranked No. 2 nationally by 247Sports, featured several athletes who cited the program’s NFL pipeline as a deciding factor. The visibility of Heldt and Moore on mock drafts reinforces that narrative, potentially swaying undecided prospects who weigh immediate professional prospects against college development.
What position does Will Heldt play and how did his transfer affect his role?
Will Heldt is an edge rusher who moved from Purdue to Clemson before the 2025 season. The transfer allowed him to compete in a faster, more athletic defensive front, where he posted 7.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2026. At Clemson he shifted from a primarily three‑technique role to a hybrid alignment, giving him both inside pressure and wide‑nine pass‑rush opportunities.
How many receiving yards did TJ Moore record last season?
Moore finished the 2026 NCAA Football campaign with 1,184 receiving yards, ranking third on the team and showcasing his route‑running precision, a factor that helped boost his draft projection. He also averaged 12.6 yards per catch and logged 11 touchdowns.
Why do analysts consider early mock drafts important?
Early mock drafts, like Chris Hummer’s, give teams a glimpse of emerging talent trends and force players to sustain performance levels throughout the season; they also shape media narratives around potential draft boards. They can affect player perception, influencing award voting and Heisman discussions as well.
How does Clemson’s defensive scheme aid edge rushers like Heldt?
The hybrid front lets Heldt attack from both three‑technique and wide‑nine alignments, creating mismatches that amplify his sack totals and make him a more attractive NFL prospect. Venables’ emphasis on hand‑fighting drills and varied stunts also improves his ability to disengage from blockers quickly.
