Freshman Cameron Heyward to Impact OSU This Year

Just Two Weeks Away From Kickoff

By Adam Kiefaber

Unlike the National Football League (NFL), college football doesn’t have four-televised preseason games where fans can get their first glimpse at a rookie or a first-year player.

True freshman Cameron Heyward, from Suwanee, Ga., is expected to be one of the few true freshmen to see the field this season for the Buckeyes.

Recently, defensive lineman Lawrence Wilson was quoted by The Columbus Dispatch.

“He looks like a grown man,” Wilson said. “He’s got big size 18 feet, and when he comes off the ball, he comes off so hard and so powerful. That 295 (pounds), when he gets that running it’s hard to stop it.”

“When he hits you, you feel it. I think he’s going to be a big contributor to our defense.”

Heyward has a great chance to make an impact. Especially since 2006 starting defensive tackles David Patterson and Quinn Pitcock are currently in the NFL. The depth chart lists Doug Worthington and Todd Denlinger as the starters at DT.

Cameron, who is the son of Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, chose Ohio State over more than 40 other schools offering a scholarship.

Sadly, “Ironhead” passed away in May of 2006 after a seven-year battle with a brain tumor.

Earlier this summer, Ken Gordon of The Columbus Dispatch wrote a great piece on Cameron’s relationship with his father FOND MEMORIES OF FATHER, FRIEND . The story was published on Cameron Heyward’s second Father’s Day without his dad.

According to Scout.com, Heyward had offers from Florida, Georgia and LSU. He is listed at 6-foot-6 280 pounds and as a four-star defensive tackle. Rivals.com as Heyward listed as a four-star defensive tackle as well. The source ranks Heyward 13th in the nation among defensive tackles recruited in the 2007 class.

Heyward was the last commitment of ‘07 class to sign with Ohio State. He signed on January 31st.

Other notes: The Buckeyes signed another tight end for ‘08 recruiting class. Nic DiLillo signed with the Buckeyes on July 30th. According to Scout.com, he had offers from Clemson, Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Syracuse. I will take a closer look in the DiLillo signing soon.