Guys We Like (Part 2): Cameron Heyward

In our last entry of “Guys We Like” we featured  Big 10 defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn, and we’re staying close to home with our second entry. Next up, is Ohio State’s Cameron Heyward, a physical presence that might have more potential than any other d-lineman in the country. Being frank, this cat is an absolute freak.

In 2009, Heyward logged 6.5 sacks and ten tackles for loss on his way to becoming 2^nd Team All-Big 10. While these numbers don’t shatter the stat sheet, the man’s physical appearance, presence, and potential do.

At 6’6” and a lean 288, Heyward can actually play both inside and on the end. This is something that pro teams will love, and it’s rare to see a college player have success doing it at both spots. It’s been noted that he runs a 4.8 or 4.9 forty, which is remarkable given his size. This also says to me he will be an ideal 3-4 DE at the next level. It appears that Ohio State will keep him at end to start the year, but you can expect him to move around for given matchups. A lot will also depend on how the rest of the group plays.

Heyward has been making an impact in games since his freshmen season, but really started showcasing superstar skills late last year. The game that comes to mind for many fans is Heyward’s standout performance against Penn State in ’09. Heyward finished with 11 tackles, 3 for loss, and 2 sacks. On top of these already legit numbers, he was a menace on the Nittany line the entire game and really helped promote an already growing buzz beyond the Ohio State faithful.

While many will immediately think of Vernon Gholston and his poor transition to the NFL, Heyward seems to embrace contact and have the football spark that Gholston obviously lacked. Just by watching him last year and on tape, Heyward also uses his hands and body a lot better to get a much better push up field. He’s simply a different guy, and a whole hell of a lot better.

We love Adrian Clayborn, but there’s reasons to like this guy more. If he can avoid injuries, I have no doubts that Heyward will be a top 5 pick in the NFL Draft next year. And that’s me being optimistic. Staying closer to the present, Heywardis a HUGE piece of the puzzle for Ohio State if they’re going to contend for a national championship.

Heyward showcased a lot of these skills against one of the nation’s deadliest offenses in the Rose Bowl. Yes, that is Mr. Masoli when life was good. Well, not good but better than his current situation.