2011 NFL Draft: DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio State

The 2011 NFL draft is around the corner and SB Nation’s Along The Olentangy has provided us with a profile of DE Cameron Heyward, who could be a first round pick. Check out Along The Olentangy for more on Heyward.

Defensive end | Ohio State University | Senior | 6’5”, 294 pounds

The term “tweener” is thrown about in reference to defensive ends who can play linebacker, and vice versa, but Cameron Heyward is a “tweener” of another sort. He’s versatile enough to fit in either a 4-3 scheme as a 3-technique defensive tackle or in a 3-4 scheme as a 5-technique defensive end. At Ohio State, he primarily played as a strongside defensive end but would often shuffle down into the 3-technique position on passing downs. Heyward would be an excellent fit for any defense that runs a 2-gap scheme on the defensive line. Ohio State’s entire defensive philosophy is built around the defensive linemen controlling their gaps, and it would not take any extra adjustment for him at the next level.

The media has picked up on Heyward’s impressive NFL lineage, but most outsiders are not aware of his dedication and leadership ability. He had an opportunity to leave Ohio State for the NFL Draft last year, but instead chose to return and experience his senior season. His teammates elected him a captain and he had a great year, even though critics will cite certain statistics as a means of discrediting his production. But the easy statistics (tackles and sacks) are not the best means of grading a defensive lineman ofHeyward’s talents.

Jim Heacock, Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, had this to say on Heyward before his last game as a Buckeye:

“Have you ever seen Cam not give 100-percent effort?” Heacock said. “‘We can do walk-throughs, we can do run-throughs, we can do live (hitting), and it doesn’t matter.’ My answer was, ‘No, I’ve never seen him not go all out.’”

Heyward backed up the praise by having the best game of his career in the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas Razorback offensive tackle DeMarcus Love, a projected second round pick.