The Leading Authority of the NFL Draft

Skinny: Heyward is a great player that will be an instant starter but he’s just not a guy that will get you high sack totals or results in the tackle department. He’s a classic fit for a 3-4 defense as a five technique and will be a difference maker, just not on the stat sheet.

Audio Interview -- Player Spotlight (10.07.09) -- LISTEN

2010: Playing primarily at defensive end last season, Heyward led all defensive lineman in the nation with 46 tackles. His versatility allows him to move around up front, as he is able to play every position along the defensive line. Heyward has noted that he will work on getting stronger and faster this season. He is a consensus top-ten pick and projects as an ideal 3-4 end at the next level.

SCOUT'S TAKE

Pros: The soon-to-be senior at Ohio State, Cameron Heyward, is a certified man-giant. However, the defensive end is not a lumbering behemoth; his foot-speed, lateral ability, fluid hips and short-area quickness are uncanny for a man that is 6’6” and around 290 pounds. What truly stands out about Heyward is his ability to defend the run (46 tackles total, 10 tackles for loss as a junior). He is almost impossible to run at if he isn’t double-teamed and even then it isn’t a good idea. Heyward’s long arms and strength make it difficult for offensive lineman to get into his pads and his incredibly quick feet make him very tough to mirror. Heyward has the rare ability, due to his long arms and strength, to simultaneously engage a blocker with one arm and bring down the ball carrier with the other. The powerful Buckeye uses leverage well and can hold up offensive linemen to allow the linebackers behind him to swoop in and make plays. What makes Heyward even more exciting to NFL scouts is his versatility—he can play any position along the defensive line in a 4-3 defense and has the frame to easily beef up to be a 3-4 defensive end. The Ohio State product even has the foot-speed and athleticism to be comfortable playing out of a two-point stance occasionally to either rush the passer or drop back and cover. While he will not play out of a two-point stance permanently, his ability to do so at all is enough to disrupt a quarterback’s timing. Heyward uses his size and long arms to knock footballs down at the line of scrimmage, which means that he can still impact a play even when blocked. It is easy to see Heyward being a three-down lineman at the NFL level due to his versatility and tenacity against both the run and pass. As a pass rusher (6.5 sacks in 2009) the Georgia native is at his best penetrating from the inside, where he can use a bull rush to push the pocket or quickness to slide underneath blockers. The defensive end plays with a high-motor, going to the whistle on most snaps. Heyward is the son of former Pittsburgh Panther star and NFL running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward.

Cons: While the Buckeye defensive end has flashed potential in getting after the quarterback, his ability as an edge rusher remains a work in progress. Unlike many of the top defensive ends who move on to success in the NFL, Heyward lacks acceleration from the perimeter. His lack of top-end speed and burst around the corner to consistently harass quarterbacks or demand a double team will move him down some teams’ draft boards. Heyward has good versatility but would likely need to add weight and get stronger to either play defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense or defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. He also needs to work on his understanding of hand placement, technique and variety of pass-rushing moves if he is going to be as effective against the pass as he is against the run. During his junior season Heyward played approximately 60 percent of the defensive snaps for the Buckeyes. He needs to prove he has better in-game stamina and durability if he’s going to shine at the next level.

Our View: While Heyward has good flexibility, his best position in the pros will likely be defensive end. The question is whether he will be better suited in a 3-4 defense, or remain in the 4-3 scheme in which he has played while at Columbus. Even though Heyward has first-round talent he was wise to return to school for his senior season at Ohio State. He seems to understand that he has room to grow, particularly as a pass rusher. Heyward’s pass-rushing ability from the edge is not elite but it is our belief that he possesses untapped potential when it comes to sacking the quarterback considering his combination of foot quickness, size, strength and long arms. Although Heyward may not average double-digit sacks during his career, he offers rare run-stuffing ability from the edge and versatility along the line. He may be able to kick inside to defensive tackle in passing situations to allow his team to maximize the amount of pass rushers they have on field. The Buckeye appears headed to the first round in the 2011 Draft. How he develops as a pass rusher will dictate how high he goes—the more impact plays he makes, the more likely Heyward is to crack the top 10. He is focused and understands what aspects of his game he needs to improve. We expect him to take his game to the next level and have his best season as a collegian across the board.

Scout's Notebook

09/11/10 - vs. Miami - Cameron Heyward manhandled left guard Harland Gunn to get into the backfield and trip up the ball carrier for a two-yard loss, displaying his incredible power. On Miami’s opening possession in the second half, Heyward dropped back into coverage and picked off a pass intended for Damien Berry and returned it all the way to the Miami 13. That play demonstrated that Heyward is not only a great pass rusher, but he can drop back into coverage and make plays as well. - Scout's Notebook: Miami @ Ohio State

NEWS

05/11/10 - A few days ago, Cameron Heyward mentioned that he wants to be “the most dominant who ever played” when discussing his plans for the upcoming season. After playing what Heacock estimated as 60% of the plays a season ago, Heyward hopes to play more than 90% of the snaps this fall. That’s surely good news for Buckeye fans as Heyward has proved his worth at both tackle and end thanks to a relentless motor, raw power and surprising agility for a man of such girth. Though the Buckeyes lost Gibson, Worthington, Wilson, Rose and Denlinger, the line still features proven guys like Williams, Larimore and Simon with up and comers like Goebel, Fellows, Thomas and Wells hoping to add rotational depth. This year, Heyward plans to not only dominate but also to be more of a vocal leader in what should be an incredible swan song on his way to a top five selection in the 2011 NFL Draft. He should be able to showcase his skills both at tackle and end based on down/distance and personnel matchups and easily better his 2009 stats including 46 tackles (6th on team), 10 TFL (2nd) and a team leading 6.5 sacks. – Eleven Warriors

01/29/10 - The Ohio State defensive end believes he could be an elite NFL player right now. Most offensive linemen who have faced him would probably agree. By choosing not to enter the draft this spring as a junior, Heyward passed up millions of dollars. Coach Jim Tressel has said that if a player is going to be a first-rounder, it's probably smart to leave. But here's what dollars and common sense don't take into account: Heyward is having too much fun being a college student. "I'm just a 20-year-old, and (the NFL) is a lot of responsibility to put on a 20-year-old," Heyward said. "I'm enjoying college -- classes and everything. I'm enjoying the guys here, I'm moving toward something I want, which is my degree, and I just like the overall atmosphere here. It's a great experience." – Cleveland Plain Dealer

01/05/10 - Ohio State just announced this afternoon that defensive lineman Cameron Heyward will return for his senior season. A statement from Heyward: "I am excited about next season and am looking forward to being one of the senior leaders of our team. I sat down and talked at length with my family about my situation, and they totally support my decision. I've been blessed to this point. I am just having fun being a college student. I learned a lot from seniors like Doug (Worthington) and Kurt (Coleman) and all they were able to accomplish during their senior year. I would love to be a part of Buckeye tradition like that. I think the upside is very positive.”

11/12/09 - Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward said this week that he intended to return to Ohio State for his senior season. "I've already thought that I'm coming back for next year," Heyward said. "I want to help this team as much as I can because they've given so much to me."

On Location: Ironhead’s boy puts together a dominant performance versus the Nittany Lions by wreaking havoc on the running game with a relentless take-no-prisoners attitude. He just simply destroys and overpowers T Ako Poti ; he does the same to G Johnnie Troutman by hitting him the grill, which knocks the blocker off-balance, allowing Heyward to easily sack a helpless Darryl Clark. The terrifying playmaker later forces Troutman to be called for holding, as the guard desperately tries to stop Heyward by hanging on to his jersey. The disruptive junior attacks both sides of the line in this matchup and is the single biggest reason why Penn State running backs are held to 50 yards rushing. His opponents can neither run away from him nor can they find anyone to slow him down. Heyward is a dynamite blend of upper body strength and incredible leg drive, which make him an explosive force. He’s more of a bull rusher at this point, who can work to add his pass-rushing repertoire. - 11/07/09 vs Penn State (W, 24-7)

2009: Heyward, the son of Ironhead, checks in at 6’ 6” and 287 pounds, and leads the team with his five sacks and tops the defensive line with 36 tackles (through nine games). Heyward discussed his attributes, “I have a lot of power. It works to my advantage. I can play defensive end and it gives us a chance to be versatile.”