INDIANAPOLIS -- Cameron Heyward has been around the NFL since he was a kid, regularly visiting the locker rooms with his dad, legendary running back Craig "Ironhead" Heyward.
The younger Heyward has a familiarity with the pros from his father's era and a unique comfort level with the NFL's way of doing business.
That should provide the former Ohio State standout defensive lineman with a bit of an advantage here at the NFL Combine as the top players from across the country gather to audition in front of the coaches and personnel directors from the league's 32 teams.
Heyward said he won't expect his name recognition to give him any kind of edge here, or when the NFL Draft comes around at the end of April.
"I'm not asking anybody to give me a second look or anything just because my dad was Ironhead," said Heyward.
After an 11-year NFL career with the Saints, Bears, Falcons, Rams, and Colts, Ironhead Heyward died from cancer in 2006 at the age of 39.
The younger Heyward went on to a brilliant career with the Buckeyes where he was part of four Big Ten championships, four wins over rival Michigan, and two BCS bowl victories.
While obviously proud of his dad, Heyward wants his playing career to be evaluated on a separate basis.
"I can't follow that . . . it's his own legacy," Heyward said. "I want to be in the NFL, but I want to leave a legacy of my own. I don't want to live in his shadow, but he was a great player. He's always in my heart, and I appreciate everything he has done. But I want to do everything on my own."
Heyward was a freshman All-American at Ohio State and was a starter for most of his time with the Buckeyes -- 45 of the 52 games he played in at Ohio State. His career numbers showed 164 tackles, 37 1/2 for loss, and 15 1/2 sacks.
For the last couple seasons, Heyward was a major force on OSU's Silver Bullet defense that in 2010 ranked first in the Big Ten in scoring defense, total defense, pass defense, pass efficiency defense, and turnover margin.
An elbow injury suffered in Ohio State's Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas will prevent Heyward from working out for the pro scouts here at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL's Colts. He had "Tommy John" surgery in mid-January to repair ligament damage in his left arm and will not be cleared to work out until the end of March.
Heyward will go through the series of interviews, psychological testing, and medical exams here at the Combine, and then work out for the pro scouts in Columbus on March 30.
"It's getting better. I have my full range of motion back already," said Heyward, who was measured at 6-5 and 294 pounds by the pros. "I'm a little disappointed that I don't get to work out here . . . but I'm getting better every day."
Heyward, who is projected as a potential first round draft pick, said that as he goes through the screening process with the NFL, he expects to be held to a high standard, because his father played in the pros.
"I hope I've got pressure, because I want to perform well," Heyward said. "I wouldn't have it any other way. If guys are expecting a lot out of me, so be it, because I am going to be a guy who will produce."
After playing both tackle and end on the defensive line for the Buckeyes, Heyward expects to offer the pros more versatility, which he hopes translates into opportunity.
"The position doesn't matter to me. At Ohio State, I played end and tackle, and I think it benefited me," he said. "I enjoyed it, moving all over the line. I got to go against tackles, who aren't used to going against guys who are so physical, and then I got to use my speed against guards."
Contact Matt Markey at: mmarkey@theblade.com or 419-724-6510
First Published February 28, 2011, 4:47 a.m.
