3 days ago
The Seattle Seahawks begin their 2026 season versus the New England Patriots on Wednesday. That doesn't mean some publications aren't already looking towards the 2027 NFL draft. With a new college football campaign officially underway, mock drafts have been populating news feeds.
NFL Draft On SI: A Sports Illustrated Channel was among the outlets that released new first-round mock drafts. Using power rankings to determine the draft order, they have the Seahawks picking at No. 31 overall. The pick? Clemson defensive end Will Heldt.
"Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider likes to keep four, five pass rushers in rotation," NFL Draft On SI wrote. "With DeMarcus Lawrence and Dante Fowler Jr. being aging veterans, adding another young rusher to the fold would fit the Seahawks' approach. Clemson's Will Heldt transferred to the program last season from Purdue and led the Tigers in tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (7.5)."
Heldt placed third among returning Power Four edge defenders with an 84.4 PFF overall grade last season, according to Pro Football Focus. His 87.8 PFF pass-rush grade on true pass sets ranked 14th in the Power Four. He's been a dominant rusher for the Tigers.
Heldt feels like a prospect who will be on the Seahawks' radar.
#heldt #draft #season
NFL Draft On SI: A Sports Illustrated Channel was among the outlets that released new first-round mock drafts. Using power rankings to determine the draft order, they have the Seahawks picking at No. 31 overall. The pick? Clemson defensive end Will Heldt.
"Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider likes to keep four, five pass rushers in rotation," NFL Draft On SI wrote. "With DeMarcus Lawrence and Dante Fowler Jr. being aging veterans, adding another young rusher to the fold would fit the Seahawks' approach. Clemson's Will Heldt transferred to the program last season from Purdue and led the Tigers in tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (7.5)."
Heldt placed third among returning Power Four edge defenders with an 84.4 PFF overall grade last season, according to Pro Football Focus. His 87.8 PFF pass-rush grade on true pass sets ranked 14th in the Power Four. He's been a dominant rusher for the Tigers.
Heldt feels like a prospect who will be on the Seahawks' radar.
#heldt #draft #season
1 month ago
The ACC revealed the pre-season all-conference team on Wednesday, and NC State did not have anybody selected. Which isn't exactly surprising—I'm not sure who outside of CJ Bailey would have a credible argument at this point. There are guys with potential, of course—Harvey Dyson could have himself a year, for one—but the guesswork is a bit tougher in the portal era.
Bailey received 15 votes for Pre-season Player of the Year, fourth behind Darian Mensah, Kevin Jennings, and Isaac Brown.
2026 ACC Football Preseason Player of the Year (votes)
1. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (97)
2. Kevin Jennings, QB, SMU (25)
3. Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville (16)
4. CJ Bailey, QB, NC State (15)
5. Duce Robinson, WR, Florida State (12)
6. Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson (11)
7. Kam Robinson, LB, Virginia (5)
8. Will Heldt, DE, Clemson (4)
9. Mason Heintschel, QB, Pitt (3)
The absence of Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele from this list is apparently due to the fact that the ACC did not even put him on the ballot, which is baffling, to say the least. Is there a paper shortage at the league office? What is the need for a list so short that it excludes one of the ACC's best quarterbacks? They, uh, did remember that Cal is in the ACC, right?
#state #bailey #mensah #kevin
Bailey received 15 votes for Pre-season Player of the Year, fourth behind Darian Mensah, Kevin Jennings, and Isaac Brown.
2026 ACC Football Preseason Player of the Year (votes)
1. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (97)
2. Kevin Jennings, QB, SMU (25)
3. Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville (16)
4. CJ Bailey, QB, NC State (15)
5. Duce Robinson, WR, Florida State (12)
6. Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson (11)
7. Kam Robinson, LB, Virginia (5)
8. Will Heldt, DE, Clemson (4)
9. Mason Heintschel, QB, Pitt (3)
The absence of Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele from this list is apparently due to the fact that the ACC did not even put him on the ballot, which is baffling, to say the least. Is there a paper shortage at the league office? What is the need for a list so short that it excludes one of the ACC's best quarterbacks? They, uh, did remember that Cal is in the ACC, right?
#state #bailey #mensah #kevin
2 months ago
No matter what happens in 2026, we expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to focus heavily on getting younger and more athletic on defense with the 2027 NFL Draft. We updated our four-round mock draft with just three weeks until NFL training camps start and with the age and salaries of several defensive players, we knew this draft needed to replace those guys.
Indiana's Charlie Becker was our favorite receiver among that talented unit in 2025 and we can't wait to see what he does as the team's clear No. 1 option. Becker has the size and athleticism combo to line up anywhere and Becker is able to run every route. His hands are the best in the draft and he's a true vertical threat.
We are optimistic about DeShon Elliott coming back this season but would love to see the Steelers upgrade with Xavier Scott, who is a pure coverage safety who plays like a cornerback and can lock down receivers and tight ends.
Will Heldt checks in at an athletic 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds with a nonstop motor and lots of power. We can see Heldt bulking up to play a hybrid 3-4 defensive end or lean out some and be an oversized edge with the power to stuff the run.
We can't help but wonder if Joey Porter Jr. will be back in Pittsburgh next season and if not, we slide everyone up including Daylen Everett, leaving a void on the depth chart. McKinney is a smart, athletic coverage player who has definite starter potential.
Indiana's Charlie Becker was our favorite receiver among that talented unit in 2025 and we can't wait to see what he does as the team's clear No. 1 option. Becker has the size and athleticism combo to line up anywhere and Becker is able to run every route. His hands are the best in the draft and he's a true vertical threat.
We are optimistic about DeShon Elliott coming back this season but would love to see the Steelers upgrade with Xavier Scott, who is a pure coverage safety who plays like a cornerback and can lock down receivers and tight ends.
Will Heldt checks in at an athletic 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds with a nonstop motor and lots of power. We can see Heldt bulking up to play a hybrid 3-4 defensive end or lean out some and be an oversized edge with the power to stuff the run.
We can't help but wonder if Joey Porter Jr. will be back in Pittsburgh next season and if not, we slide everyone up including Daylen Everett, leaving a void on the depth chart. McKinney is a smart, athletic coverage player who has definite starter potential.
3 months ago
National expectations for Clemson football aren’t nearly as low as some might have expected after last season.
Despite finishing 7-6 in 2025 and missing out on the ACC ***** le race, the Tigers begin the offseason just outside the top 25 in Athlon Sports’ preseason rankings. Clemson was slotted at No. 27 in Athlon’s full ranking of all 138 FBS programs, signaling that the publication believes Dabo Swinney’s team has the pieces to bounce back in 2026.
A big reason for that optimism is the offense. Christopher Vizzina is expected to take over at quarterback, while Chad Morris returns to Clemson to oversee the offense. The Tigers also return a talented group of receivers, giving the new quarterback an experienced supporting cast. Defensively, Sammy Brown and Will Heldt are among the key returning contributors, and Clemson addressed several needs through the transfer portal, particularly in the secondary.
The Tigers won’t have an easy path back into the national spotlight. Their season opens with a road trip to LSU, which Athlon ranked No. 10, before Clemson hosts No. 7 Miami in one of the marquee ACC matchups of the season. Rival South Carolina sits just one spot behind the Tigers at No. 28, setting up another intriguing regular-season finale.
Athlon’s top five features Ohio State at No. 1, followed by Georgia, Texas, Notre Dame and defending national champion Indiana. Miami is the ACC’s highest-ranked team, while SMU (No. 22) and Louisville (No. 23) also earned spots inside the top 25.
Despite finishing 7-6 in 2025 and missing out on the ACC ***** le race, the Tigers begin the offseason just outside the top 25 in Athlon Sports’ preseason rankings. Clemson was slotted at No. 27 in Athlon’s full ranking of all 138 FBS programs, signaling that the publication believes Dabo Swinney’s team has the pieces to bounce back in 2026.
A big reason for that optimism is the offense. Christopher Vizzina is expected to take over at quarterback, while Chad Morris returns to Clemson to oversee the offense. The Tigers also return a talented group of receivers, giving the new quarterback an experienced supporting cast. Defensively, Sammy Brown and Will Heldt are among the key returning contributors, and Clemson addressed several needs through the transfer portal, particularly in the secondary.
The Tigers won’t have an easy path back into the national spotlight. Their season opens with a road trip to LSU, which Athlon ranked No. 10, before Clemson hosts No. 7 Miami in one of the marquee ACC matchups of the season. Rival South Carolina sits just one spot behind the Tigers at No. 28, setting up another intriguing regular-season finale.
Athlon’s top five features Ohio State at No. 1, followed by Georgia, Texas, Notre Dame and defending national champion Indiana. Miami is the ACC’s highest-ranked team, while SMU (No. 22) and Louisville (No. 23) also earned spots inside the top 25.
