Heyward to Return for Senior Season
Just when we were moping around after Gibson announced he was leaving early, Cam Heyward makes a lot of Ohioans happy. Per the university release:
Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward announced this afternoon that he has decided to stay at Ohio State for his senior season.
A statement from Heyward:
“I am excited about next season and am looking forward to being one of the senior leaders of our team. I sat down and talked at length with my family about my situation, and they totally support my decision. I’ve been blessed to this point. I am just having fun being a college student.
“I learned a lot from seniors like Doug (Worthington) and Kurt (Coleman) and all they were able to accomplish during their senior year. I would love to be a part of Buckeye tradition like that. I think the upside is very positive.
“I want to help our team achieve the goals of winning another Big Ten title and possibly accomplishing a national championship. If I could win some recognition, that would be great as well. I think I can be a leader for our team, and I know another season will help me become a better player.”
Heyward, a product of Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Ga., has recorded 115 tackles during his three-year career. The all-Big Ten selection led the Rose Bowl champion Buckeyes with 7.5 sacks this season, along with 11 TFL and a fumble recovery. He was named Big Ten player of the week versus Penn State, when he had 11 tackles, three TFL and two sacks. Heyward, who recovered a fumble for a touchdown against Michigan, has made 33 career starts for Ohio State. He is scheduled to graduate in spring, 2011, with a bachelor’s degree in human development.
Meanwhile, Chekwa is saying he will return and we’re 99% sure Hines will be back. If those hold, losing just one of the four — the one we always figured had the highest probability of leaving — is stomachable.
Update (5:00pm): Confirmed. Chekwa is definitely coming back.
“I am not ready to leave Ohio State, and I am looking forward to my senior season. I prayed about this decision and talked about it with my parents, and I know this is the right decision for me.
“I will graduate next fall, and I am looking forward to being a leader on what can be a very special defense for the Buckeyes. After the Rose Bowl win, we are working toward accomplishing more great things, including another Big Ten title and a run at the national championship.”
Chekwa, a product of East Ridge High School in Clermont, Fla., has recorded 103 tackles during his three-year career. The honorable mention all-Big Ten selection led the Rose Bowl champion Buckeyes with seven pass breakups this season, along with an interception.
Effin A!
HELL YEA
I smell a Senior Captaincy in his future and many terorized QBs!
This makes me smile. Smiling’s my favorite.
CHAMPIONSHIP!
Thad is a beast, but Cam is better, IMO.
Not worried at all about losing Thad. Sucks, but not worried. We are liggity-loaded at DE. Seems like we recruit 10 guys at that spot every year.
Time for nathan Williams to step up. Time to see if Soloman Thomas’ jersey scrimmage domination was a fluke or not. I say not.
And dare I say, Safari Planet, thats CRAZAY!
Cam and Homan as captains on the defense? That’d be a tough squad, driven by those two.
In more good news, I hear Hankins has committed. However, I have not seen a link.
here is his rivals page, look at the bottom… it says hankins is committed to Ohio State on 01/05/10 or today
What a good day, Go Bucks!
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Johnathon-Hankins-79366
Not a huge Chekwa fan, but he has value and should only improve….Heyward is the real deal as we all know…..why oh why do we have to wait 9 more months for meaningful football!!!…..that spring game can’t get here quick enough
Great news that Heyward’s coming back.
Not sure where Chekwa thought he was ever going.
Losing Thad is a disappointment but Cam coming back means Tate Forcier just lost his lunch.
Funny, we don’t have any Duck/scUM/KStateWildcats fans on here talking shit…must be a record, we’ve gone what a week?
Well, Chief, considering how the above mentioned club teams haved fared against us, not a whole lot of shit-talking goin’ on. But you’re right, the entertainment value is pretty good.
Reminds me of Mike Doss and decision to come back and hopeful expectations on ‘02.
Happy Happy
Joy Joy
Happy Happy
Joy Joy
Awesome news. I’m a chekwa fan myself but not sure why or who told him it might be worthwhile to declare for the draft anyway. That was about to reek of donald washington declaring a year ago. Also a head scratcher. That is unless you have families to take care of, perhaps.
Good news still.
Great news for the Buckeyes to have two of their best defenders coming back.
D should be nasty again next year. Realistic shot at another title.
Dear Cam,
Your Dad would be proud.
i love my life.