Packers hosting Central Michigan pass rusher on pre-draft visit

Q: Who is Michael Heldman and what are his achievements in college football?

Michael Heldman is a pass rusher from Central Michigan who led his team with 10½ sacks during his college season.

Q: How many draft-eligible players can the Packers host for pre-draft visits?

The Packers are allowed to host up to 30 draft-eligible players for pre-draft visits, excluding local prospects.

Q: What is the significance of Michael Heldman's theater background for his football career?

Heldman's theater background has helped him develop confidence and performance skills, which can be beneficial on the football field.

Q: What are the Packers' plans for the upcoming NFL draft?

The Packers are actively evaluating potential draft picks, including hosting visits with key prospects like Michael Heldman.

Per NFL rules, the Green Bay Packers are allowed to host up to 30 draft eligible players (excluding “local” prospects, such as those in the UW system or nearby regional schools such as Northern Illinois) for in-person visits. The Journal Sentinel is tracking the visits and supplying profiles based on information from sources and published reports.

GREEN BAY – When he was in high school, Central Michigan edge rusher Michael Heldman had a secret.

He wasn’t just a football player.

Growing up in a tough environment in the Detroit area, Heldman didn’t immediately find his place within the many social circles inside his high school. So, he focused on football and snuck his way to the theater to act in a school play.

Now, Heldman has experience performing in front of all kinds of crowds, although these days it’s all about football. After leading the team in sacks with 10½, Heldman is drawing attention as the NFL draft nears.

The Packers are one of the teams who want to know more. They are hosting him on a top 30 pre-draft visit, according to NFL Network.

Central Michigan defensive lineman Michael Heldman (97) chases Pittsburgh quarterback Eli Holstein during a 2025 game.

During his pro day, the 6-foot-4, 268-pound Heldman went through drills as a defensive end, but some scouts wanted to see him perform as an outside linebacker and so he did some pass drops from a stand-up position. His 40-yard dash time of 4.7 seconds didn’t come close to some of the top performers at the combine, but his vertical would have been tied for second.

It shows that he has power in his legs and could continue to grow as a complete player.

“I feel like I’ve shown I can stop the run,” Heldman said in a video interview from the Hula Bowl with The League Winners. “I think I’ve shown I can play with leverage, set an edge very well. I’m very technically sound when it comes to pass rush, just using my hands accurately, setting up moves and a progression of moves.”

He later was invited to play in the East-West Shrine game and was hoping for a combine invite, but it never came.

It took Heldman some time to develop at Central Michigan. He had five sacks in 23 games, including 16 starts, in ’22 and ’23 and then upped that number to four in ’24.

It was in ’25 when he took off, totaling 48 tackles and 16½ tackles for loss. He also had two forced fumbles and four pass breakups. He played both with his hand down and standing up, so the transition to linebacker might be possible.

He’s likely a Day 3 pick, but Heldman is just looking for a foot in the door.

“I would love to get drafted, but, you know what? Regardless, whatever team wants me, they're getting a dog,” Heldman said. “And they're getting a man who can help change many things, but not forcefully, 'cause I'm more of an open doors-type guy.”