Not many players had the type of growth that Connor Heyward did while with Michigan State football.
The former three-star running back from Georgia was recruited as an “athlete” but began his Michigan State career in the backfield. He was a running back through his first four seasons in East Lansing but he nearly left the program after Mark Dantonio retired in 2019.
Mel Tucker converted Heyward to more of an H-back, tight end hybrid during his senior year, and that was the best thing for his draft stock.
Heyward ended up getting selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he’s been with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the same role ever since.