Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Senior Bowl / Catapult / Jeff Hanson
Connor Heyward Ready to Showcase Versatility in Senior Bowl
2/3/2022 12:20:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State fullback/tight end Connor Heyward will represent the American team in the Reese's Senior Bowl on Saturday, Feb. 5 in Mobile, Alabama. The 73rd annual Senior Bowl will be televised live on the NFL Network, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. ET at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of South Alabama.
Heyward, who made the transition from running back to tight end during his fifth and final season with the Spartans in 2021, has been practicing as a fullback at the Senior Bowl practices this week in Mobile. The American team is coached by the staff of the Detroit Lions and Heyward will be wearing No. 30 for the game on Saturday.
"I think it helps me a lot," Heyward said to DetroitLions.com of his position versatility. "Being able to show that I played running back, be flexed out, playing tight end, whether that was 11 or 12 personnel and also playing special teams."
Heyward started all 13 games at tight end in 2021 after making the position switch from running back in preseason camp. He led the Spartan tight ends and ranked tied for third on the team with a career-high 35 receptions for 326 yards and two TDs to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades by both the coaches and media. Heyward played a total of 623 snaps, sixth most on the Spartan offense, and 17 of his 35 catches went for either first downs or touchdowns. A native of Duluth, Georgia, Heyward closed out his Spartan career in his home state, catching five passes for 37 yards, including a 15-yard TD in the fourth quarter that sparked MSU's 11-point comeback win over No. 12 Pitt in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Heyward was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award as a sophomore in 2018 and earned the team's Downtown Coaches Club award for the most outstanding player on offense that season after leading the Spartans in rushing yards (529; 40.7 ypg), rushing touchdowns (5), carries (118), all-purpose yards (1,065; 81.9 ypg) and kick returns (13 for 287 yards; 22.1 avg.).
A four-year letterwinner who played in 49 career games with the Spartans from 2017-21, including 28 starts (eight in 2018, one in 2019, six in 2020, 13 in 2021 / 15 at running back from 2018-20, 13 at tight end in 2021), Heyward finished his collegiate career with 2,265 all-purpose yards (825 rushing, 723 kick return, 711 receiving, 6 punt return) and scored 11 career touchdowns (six receiving, five rushing). He recorded 825 rushing yards on 211 carries with five TDs and had 96 career receptions for 711 yards and six touchdowns. He also returned 33 kickoffs in his career for 723 yards, ranking No. 16 on MSU career kick return yards list and tied for No. 18 on career kick return list (33).
Heyward graduated in May 2021 with a bachelor's degree in communication. He is the first Spartan to compete in the Senior Bowl since former All-American defensive end Kenny Willekes in 2020.
ABOUT THE SENIOR BOWL
The Senior Bowl is an annual college all-star football game that is played at the conclusion of the NCAA season. The event is considered the most prominent college football all-star game in the United States and is the first stage in the NFL Draft process. The first game was played on Jan. 7, 1950, featuring two squads made up of all-star NFL Draft prospects playing at the Gator Bowl Stadium in Florida. The following year, the game moved to Mobile, Alabama, where it is still played today.
In 2021, a new era in the Senior Bowl's history began with the game moving to Hancock Whitney Stadium on the South Alabama Jaguars' campus. Throughout its history, the Senior Bowl has produced over 55 players that went on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The game is unique among college all-star games as the teams are coached by NFL staff.
Heyward, who made the transition from running back to tight end during his fifth and final season with the Spartans in 2021, has been practicing as a fullback at the Senior Bowl practices this week in Mobile. The American team is coached by the staff of the Detroit Lions and Heyward will be wearing No. 30 for the game on Saturday.
"I think it helps me a lot," Heyward said to DetroitLions.com of his position versatility. "Being able to show that I played running back, be flexed out, playing tight end, whether that was 11 or 12 personnel and also playing special teams."
Heyward started all 13 games at tight end in 2021 after making the position switch from running back in preseason camp. He led the Spartan tight ends and ranked tied for third on the team with a career-high 35 receptions for 326 yards and two TDs to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades by both the coaches and media. Heyward played a total of 623 snaps, sixth most on the Spartan offense, and 17 of his 35 catches went for either first downs or touchdowns. A native of Duluth, Georgia, Heyward closed out his Spartan career in his home state, catching five passes for 37 yards, including a 15-yard TD in the fourth quarter that sparked MSU's 11-point comeback win over No. 12 Pitt in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Heyward was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award as a sophomore in 2018 and earned the team's Downtown Coaches Club award for the most outstanding player on offense that season after leading the Spartans in rushing yards (529; 40.7 ypg), rushing touchdowns (5), carries (118), all-purpose yards (1,065; 81.9 ypg) and kick returns (13 for 287 yards; 22.1 avg.).
A four-year letterwinner who played in 49 career games with the Spartans from 2017-21, including 28 starts (eight in 2018, one in 2019, six in 2020, 13 in 2021 / 15 at running back from 2018-20, 13 at tight end in 2021), Heyward finished his collegiate career with 2,265 all-purpose yards (825 rushing, 723 kick return, 711 receiving, 6 punt return) and scored 11 career touchdowns (six receiving, five rushing). He recorded 825 rushing yards on 211 carries with five TDs and had 96 career receptions for 711 yards and six touchdowns. He also returned 33 kickoffs in his career for 723 yards, ranking No. 16 on MSU career kick return yards list and tied for No. 18 on career kick return list (33).
Heyward graduated in May 2021 with a bachelor's degree in communication. He is the first Spartan to compete in the Senior Bowl since former All-American defensive end Kenny Willekes in 2020.
ABOUT THE SENIOR BOWL
The Senior Bowl is an annual college all-star football game that is played at the conclusion of the NCAA season. The event is considered the most prominent college football all-star game in the United States and is the first stage in the NFL Draft process. The first game was played on Jan. 7, 1950, featuring two squads made up of all-star NFL Draft prospects playing at the Gator Bowl Stadium in Florida. The following year, the game moved to Mobile, Alabama, where it is still played today.
In 2021, a new era in the Senior Bowl's history began with the game moving to Hancock Whitney Stadium on the South Alabama Jaguars' campus. Throughout its history, the Senior Bowl has produced over 55 players that went on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The game is unique among college all-star games as the teams are coached by NFL staff.
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