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Photo: Student Sports
With signing day next week, I re-immersed myself into film of the 2014 class. I hadn’t watched a majority of this film since these guys first committed. When you start looking at it the most obvious point is the crown jewel of this class… Jerrod Heard.
Jerrod Heard was one of the very first commitments of the 2014 Longhorn class, and has held firm to his commitment since August of 2012. Besides being a lifetime Longhorn fan, he is also a winner. Heard has led Denton Guyer to back to back state championships and was named an Army All-American. By all accounts, Heard is a guy who leads by example on the field, in the weight room, and the classroom.
Since that night in Pasadena when Colt McCoy exited the field, the Longhorns have been looking for answers at the Quarterback position. David Ash has been solid but not healthy, and Tyrone Swoopes is an extreme unknown with a lot of raw ability. Heard represents the most talent at the position that the Horns have had since Colt controlled the huddle.
Known more as a runner than a passer, Heard attended the Elite 11 camp and showed well throwing the ball. The Elite 11 camp does not cater to the dual threat guys as it is purely a passing camp. In an SB Nation Article, Elite 11 coach Trent Dilfer had this to say about Heard after his performance, “I was concerned. I’ll be honest with you,” Dilfer said of Heard entering the finals when asked about the biggest surprises during the first two days of work in Oregon.
“He was the one in the war room I had concerns about — not as a player because he’s one of the best players I’ve seen all year, but I didn’t know how he would handle this environment. He just doesn’t play in a traditional, passing game offense. And I’d put him in the top eight right now if you forced me to make a list.”
Heard is the 4th ranked dual threat QB in the nation according to Rivals and is a four star prospect. He ranks 85th in the nation and 10th overall in the state and is regarded as one of the leaders of the class among recruits. After spending some time watching as much film on Heard as I could get, I’ve provided some analysis below.
Film Analysis:
Heard is a smooth long strider when he runs the ball. He shows excellent vision and good cutting ability, but glides more than cuts. He has a good deal of experience in the pistol and diamond formations and sells the read option well. He’s not blazing fast, but shows some explosion in the first five to seven yards. His short distance explosion is better than his top end speed. He isn’t quick to leave the pocket and strives to be a pass first guy. Heard shows good deceptiveness on play action, and has good arm mechanics. He really improved from junior to senior year when it comes to his spiral. Heard has very good accuracy in the intermediate passing game, but loses a bit when throwing down the field. His footwork is a little better under center than it is in the shotgun, and it could be more consistent. He has a quick release with a small load and wind up, and shows good arm strength to all areas of the field. Heard throws with good zip in the short and intermediate passing, and shows good loft on balls down the field. He has a tendency to use that loft a little more often than he should, and could work on his footwork when throwing the fade on the goal line. He is quick and decisive when reading a secondary and rarely makes poor throws into coverage. Heard has a good build at 6’1 195, with a compact frame that is built solidly, he should hold up over the rigors of a college football season.
Final Verdict:
While Heard certainly has aspects of the passing game he could work on, he’s got all the tools to become an all-conference performer. Heard has shown he responds well to coaching and improves quickly after instruction. His work ethic will help him improve in all areas of the field, and his athleticism and improvisation will make him a factor in the Quarterback battle from day one. I would love to see Heard get a redshirt year to find his feet, but the mental makeup he’s shown in high school suggests he could succeed if forced into action early. If Jerrod Heard reaches his ceiling, we are talking about a guy who is probably a multiple time All Big 12 player who has a shot at being named an All-American. If Jerrod Heard reaches his ceiling, there is no reason Texas isn’t in the mix for the National Championship during his tenure there.
