Steelers select Heyward

By Doug Lesmerises

Cleveland Plain Dealer

COLUMBUS

Ohio State defensive lineman Cameron Heyward was taken with the 31st pick in the NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming the 14th first-round pick under Jim Tressel at Ohio State, and the third defensive lineman, joining Will Smith (No. 18 to New Orleans in 2004) and Vernon Gholston (No. 6 to the New York Jets in 2008).

The choice sends Heyward to the city where his father, the late Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, became a star as a running back at Pitt. Although he grew up in Georgia, Heyward still has family in the Pittsburgh area. The choice came as no surprise.

The final game of Heyward’s career at Ohio State was a painful one, as Heyward tore a ligament in his left elbow in Ohio State’s Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas. He required reconstructive surgery and forced him to miss the NFL Combine and Ohio State’s Pro Day. But he was healed enough to work out for 25 NFL teams in late March, and both Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau were there to watch, while most other teams sent scouts.

LeBeau is a former Buckeye, and the Steelers have shown an affinity for OSU defenders, drafting both Thaddeus Gibson and Doug Worthington last season, though both were later released.

That won’t happen with Heyward. He played both end and tackle with the Buckeyes, starting 46 games over four seasons, finishing his career as a first-team All-Big Ten selection. Most draft analysts projected him as best fitting in as a defensive end in a 3-4 defense, and that’s what he’ll be with the Steelers.

Hayward becomes the second defensive lineman selected by the Steelers in the first round over the past three seasons. Pittsburgh took Ziggy Hood from Missouri at No. 32 overall after winning the Super Bowl in 2009.

The reigning AFC champions have starters at all three positions on the defensive line who have made at least one Pro Bowl — but all are 32 or older. End Aaron Smith is entering his 13th season and was limited to only six games last season due to left torn triceps injury.

The Steelers’ chances to get one of their more highly rated prospects improved when four quarterbacks were taken in the first 12 picks.

A handful of other picks — Seattle’s choice of guard/tackle James Carpenter, Kansas City picking wide receiver Jon Baldwin and New Orleans taking running back Mark Ingram -- also aided the Steelers.

They resisted trading away draft choices to move higher in the first round, as at least a report on NFL.com said they were trying to do to draft Maurkice Pouncey’s twin, Mike. The Dolphins drafted the center-guard with the 15th pick.

Heyward was the first OSU first-round pick since Malcolm Jenkins and Beanie Wells in 2009.

There were five other Big Ten players taken: Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt to Houston at No. 11, Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan to Washington at No. 16, Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget to San Diego at No. 18, Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn to Tampa Bay at No. 20 and Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carimi to Wisconsin.

Information from The Associated Press and post-gazette.com was used in this report.