The Steelers drafted defensive end Cameron Heyward, from Ohio State with the 31st pick in the 1st round of the 2011 NFL draft. More info coming shortly with a complete profile. Heyward is a classic 5 technique defensive end that played in the Ohio State 3-4 defense and his father was former NFL running back NFL running back Craig Ironhead Heyward.
Heyward started 46 of his final 47 games for the Buckeyes, appearing in 52 games since getting the starting job during the sixth game of his true freshman season. He was utilized at all four positions on the defensive front for Ohio State and his 15 quarterback sacks tied linebacker A.J. Hawk for 11th place on the OSU all-time record list, and his 37.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage placed him tenth in the Ohio State record books.
While in high school, Heyward received a four-star prospect rating from Rivals.com and they rated him as the seventh-best overall prospect in the state of Georgia and the 13th-best defensive tackle in the nation at the time. In addition to that ranking, Scout.com ranked him 15th overall in the state and 20th nation wide. Heyward was a scholar-athlete in high school and was named the 2006 Georgia Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year. He graduated with a 3.2 grade point average.
Heyward will be eased in under the watchful eye of Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell and likely will assume the role that Nick Eason played last season. He will play behind current right defensive Brett Keisel more than likely, but played multiple spots while at Ohio State on the defensive line.
Heyward has above average strength at the point of attack and generally maintains good leverage. He uses his bull rush to drive linemen into the backfield creating pressure. He recognizes the run well and uses a spin move to beat his blocker and get to the ball carrier. He gets off the ball quick for a man of his size and uses his strong hands along with a good initial punch.
Heyward tore ligaments in his elbow in the second quarter against Arkansas and it required Tommy John surgery in mid January. Because of it, he was limited at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine in late February. He was able to work out for his Pro Day in early April and ran a 4.95-second 40-yard dash.
2011 NFL Combine
| HGT | WGT | ARMS | HANDS | 40 TIME | 225 REPS | VERT | JUMP | 20 S | 60 S | 3 CONE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6050* | 294 | 34 1/4 | 10 1/8 | DNP | DNP | 30.0 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| DEFENSIVE STATISTICS | ||||||||||||
| STATS | GP | GS | TK | SO | AS | FR | FC | INT | TFL | PBU | SACK | PRES |
| 2007 | 13 | 8 | 33 | 21 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10.0-33 | 3 | 2.5- 9 | 0 |
| 2008 | 13 | 13 | 36 | 13 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4.5-22 | 1 | 3.0-21 | 1 |
| 2009 | 13 | 12 | 46 | 21 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10.0-53 | 0 | 6.5-43 | 2 |
| 2010 | 13 | 13 | 48 | 23 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13.0-42 | 1 | 3.0-25 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 52 | 46 | 163 | 78 | 85 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 37.5-150 | 5 | 15.0-98 | 6 |
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