Sports

Ohio State Legend Cameron Heyward Loves the Buckeyes' 2026 Defensive Draft Class

By Doug Farrar Athlon Sports

In his four seasons with the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2007 through 2010, defensive lineman Cameron Heyward amassed 80 solo tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, four passes defensed, and two forced fumbles. Heyward's college resume was good enough to get him selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 31st overall pick in the 2011 draft, and that move worked out very well for all involved.

In his 15-year NFL career, Heyward has totaled 540 solo tackles, 470 stops, 12 forced fumbles, 107 sacks, and 703 total pressures. He's a seven-time Pro Bowler, a four-time FIrst-Team All-Pro, the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year, and five years after he retires, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will likely come calling.

I recently spoke with Heyward as he was preparing for an event in Pittsburgh (the home of the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday, April 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET) in conjunction with USAA's Salute to Service initiative, and he was very high on the current class of Ohio State defenders - a group that could see three prospects selected in the first 10 picks (linebacker/edge-rusher Arvell Reese, linebacker Sonny Styles, and defensive back Caleb Downs), and another guy (defensive tackle Kayden McDonald) who could also be picked in the first round.

"I partnered with USAA, and it's great," Heyward said. "It's a chance for me to show appreciation to the military. We're going to have an event where we have 100 military service members from the greater Pittsburgh area [co-hosted with ESPN's Mina Kimes]. We're just going to have a chance to talk with them, and answer some questions. This is near and dear to my heart because of my grandfather. He served in the Coast Guard. He was in the Reserves. I'm just very thankful for all the sacrifices, and all the people who give me a chance to live out my freedoms, and give me a chance to play a game that I love."

Heyward has stayed close with his alma mater, and he's got a specific long-time history with Downs, quite possibly the best defensive prospect in the 2026 class, and the cover subject of Athlon Sports' draft preview magazine.

"As a Buckeye, you always go back and watch your team, and you're proud of what they've done throughout the years," Heyward said. "Caleb, I've known since he was like yay high, because his mom actually taught at my high school, and she almost failed my co-host [Hayden Walsh] for my podcast. So we were always thankful that she let him pass. But, you know, watching Kayden as well - they're all athletic, and they bring so much. They play the game the right way, and they're difference-makers. I think they're going to be that in the next level.

"You know, I think Caleb's already got a head start because he has [his brother] Josh [Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs] to learn from and his dad [former NFL running back and current athletic trainer Gary Downs] as well. But it's really a pleasure to watch these guys continue to just keep doing the things the right way, and make Ohio State proud."

I mentioned Downs' football intelligence, which really stood out when I interviewed him for the cover story, and Heyward agreed.

"I will say, he's very humble, too. I saw him three weeks ago when I was just walking around the Ohio State campus, and they were showing me around.

"[Downs] was like, '"'I think you probably don't remember me.'

"And I was like, 'Oh, I remember you. I remember you being a terror as a young kid.'

"And now, he's a terror on the field. I'm so happy for his family. They are all very deserving of this moment, and I can't wait to watch him succeed at the next level."

We'll soon see where Reese, Styles, Downs, and McDonald go in the draft, but they already have the endorsement of one future Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 5:11 AM.

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