Former Ohio State Defensive Lineman Cameron Heyward Ranks No. 84 In NFL Network’s Top 100 Players

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward became the first former Ohio State player to be listed on NFL Network’s top 100 players list for the 2020 season, with Heyward coming in at No. 84.

This is Heyward’s fourth appearance in the top 100, previously ranking No. 48, as well as No. 88 twice, including last season.

In 2019, Heyward, who plays at defensive tackle and defensive end, finished his ninth season in Pittsburgh with a career-high 83 tackles – 24 more than any of his other seasons – 51 of which were solo. He also added 11 tackles for loss, nine sacks, six passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

His efforts last season made Heyward a First-Team All Pro and earned him an invitation to the Pro Bowl for the third straight season.

Across all nine seasons in the NFL, Heyward has played in 134 games and has 397 total tackles (257 solo), as well as  79 TFL, 54 sacks, 30 passes defended, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

Heyward played for the Buckeyes from 2007-10 and was selected No. 31 overall in the first round of the 2011 draft. While at Ohio State, he racked up 163 total tackles, 37 1/2 TFL and 15 1/2 sacks, four passes defended, two forced fumbles and an interception.

In his 2010 season with the Buckeyes, Heyward was named First Team All-Big Ten and was given the Bill Willis Trophy, which is awarded by the Ohio State coaches as the team’s most outstanding defensive player.

 

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