Posted: Monday November 9, 2009
By Tony Pauline, TFYDraft.com
Risers and Sliders: 2010 NFL Draft
The son of Craig 'Ironhead' Heyward, Ohio State's Cameron Heyward has the size, speed and power of a possible 1st-rounder.
Less than a month remains in college football's regular season and the rankings witnessed another big shakeup at the top this weekend. The situation is a little different on NFL draft boards as, for the most part, the players graded highest at the start of the year have maintained their rankings. This week, we focus on several unheralded prospects with the potential to shake up the early and middle rounds of next April's draft.
Risers
Cameron Heyward/DE/Ohio State: The son of Craig "Ironhead" Heyward has the makings of a first-round pick, just like his dad. Cameron is developing a complete game and has been the most dominant force on a strong Buckeye defensive line. He leads the unit in tackles, sacks and sits near the top in tackles for loss. Heyward is a terrific athlete with good size and growth potential. He offers possibilities as a conventional defensive tackle or two-gap end.
NFBuck;1589381; said:Congrats to Cam for being named B10 defensive player of the week.
Oh8ch;1588543; said:
A look at the weekend?s notable performances.
Wes Bunting
November 10, 2009
Observations and analysis from the 10th week of the college football season, including thoughts about some of the nation?s top defensive prospects.
Big-10 defensive tackles shine
Cameron Heyward: Ohio State (6-6, 287)
Cameron Heyward
AP
Ohio State
DL Cameron Heyward
Heyward was simply a man among boys this weekend vs. Penn State, completely controlling the line of scrimmage and making his presence felt from an array of spots on the Ohio State defensive line. He not only showcased an ability to consistently blow up blockers at the point of attack at defensive end in the run game, he also was effective lined up at defensive tackle on obvious passing downs. The more I watch Heyward, the more convinced I am that he has the ability to line up just about anywhere on an NFL defensive line. He showcases an impressive first step off the ball and does a great job keeping his base down and generating a powerful initial jolt on contact. On top of that, he?s a gifted athlete who showcases good body control and has the length to consistently shed blocks. He finished vs. Penn State with 11 total tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks, and looks capable of becoming an impact NFL lineman in just about any scheme.
Low ego, high production: Ohio State's Cameron Heyward shrugs off his starring role in Buckeyes' defense
By Doug Lesmerises, The Plain Dealer
November 11, 2009
Marvin Fong/The Plain Dealer
?I hate talking,? Cameron Heyward said Tuesday after his starring performance in last Saturday's victory at Penn State. ?I just want to play.? The high quality of his play has been noticed by opponents and NFL scouts as the Buckeyes' season approaches the end of the regular season.
? Iowa at Ohio State, Saturday, Ohio Stadium, 3:30 p.m.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State volleyball player Allie Schwarzwalder hopped in her boyfriend's car after getting back from a road match at Wisconsin on Saturday night, eager to discuss the Buckeyes' big football win at Penn State that afternoon.
He didn't want to talk about it.
Was he a Penn State fan? No. A student uninterested in sports? No. A football player who didn't play well personally in the victory? No.
He was defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, the player of the game who would later earn a national defensive player of the week award for his 11-tackle performance in the Buckeyes' 24-7 win. Heyward's postgame assessment was that he had "an OK day."
"He's been like that since I met him," Schwarzwalder said. "It's a really good quality to have, but I want him to be able to be proud of himself when he's doing well, or at least notice it."
Ohio State spotlight: Cameron Heyward
Thursday, November 12, 2009
By Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
PHOTO (top): Ohio State's Cameron Hayward wreaked havoc in the Penn State backfield recording 11 tackles, including three tackles for loss. (Neal C. Lauron, Dispatch)
The H1N1 flu virus has led to serious precautions in terms of human contact this fall. Still, it might not be a bad thing for the eight members of the Ohio State defensive line club to share the same pregame cup with Cameron Heyward today as they take on Iowa with at least a spot in the Rose Bowl on the line.
"Oh, man, Cam is playing great," defensive end Lawrence Wilson said. "And he deserves it. He works so hard every day and in the weight room."
But there was something different about the 6-foot-6, 287-pound Heyward at Penn State. The defensive end/tackle was a one-man wrecking crew, amassing a career-high 11 tackles, which included two sacks.
"He had one of those games where you just say to yourself, 'Man!'" Wilson said. "I told him the next day he really played good and he said, 'Thanks.' He's such a humble guy. He's just trying to get better every day."
As for what went down at Penn State, that was last week's news, Heyward said. The defensive front is focused on Iowa, which will start redshirt-freshman quarterback James Vandenberg in place of injured veteran Ricky Stanzi.
That would appear to be good news for an OSU defense that, with the exception of Southern California's Matt Barkley this year, usually has made life miserable for young quarterbacks. Heyward said the beginning of the game will set the tone, something the defense learned in the shocking loss at Purdue four weeks ago.
"You don't want to let a quarterback get started, and I think we did against Purdue (with Joey Elliott)," Heyward said. "He was able to make plays as the game kept going. I think it's going to be critical for us to get pressure early."
