CATCHING ON
Texas’ Jerrod Heard makes the transition from QB to receiver.
AUSTIN — Two divergent paths laid before Jerrod Heard last summer when it became apparent he would not win Texas’ quarterback competition.
Heard could sit on the bench as freshman Shane Buechele’s backup and wait for an opportunity that might never materialize. Or he could request a transfer and find another program in need of his services.
Neither of those routes appeared particularly appealing to the former high school All-American from Denton Guyer.
So Heard forged another by asking coach Charlie Strong if he could try catching balls instead of throwing them. Strong embraced the idea, as did the rest of the team.
Thus, “Jerrod Heard, wide receiver,” was born.
“I was ready for the transition, myself,” said Heard, who last season totaled 24 receptions for 366 yards and three touchdowns. “I felt like it would be a positive thing for me and my future.”
One year later, Heard is content in knowing he’s entered a different stage of his football life. His quarterbacking days are done unless Buechele and freshman Sam Ehlinger — UT’s only scholarship quarterbacks — both become incapacitated.
“We’ll have a package for Jerrod Heard, too, so if a bomb blows up and Shane and Sam both can’t finish a game, Jerrod will probably be the guy to go finish the game,” coach Tom Herman said. “Then we’d go figure things out the next week.”
Though Heard doesn’t mind
FORMER QUARTERBACK GROWING INTO ROLE AS RECEIVER, EMERGING LEADER FOR LONGHORNS
being the nuclear option, he’d prefer Buechele and Ehlinger stay upright. But even if he never throws a pass this season, keeping his quarterback wits sharp could have a positive effect on his ongoing evolution.
“I am a receiver now,” Heard said. “It’s the mindset. Being an ex-quarterback helped me a lot seeing defenses and knowing when to run coverage-wise. I really take it as an advantage.”
Even though Heard is the least experienced receiver on the roster, he’s emerged as a focal point and group leader. Heeding Herman’s mandate to be more assertive, the naturally quiet Heard has become arguably the most powerful voice in the receivers room.
“That position group is a difficult one to lead because, if you’re not careful, there can be a lot of individualism in that room,” Herman said. “He’s done a really good job a little bit more behind the scenes than we even know as coaches. But he’s a guy that does everything right on the field and off the field. You do those things and you’re going to get the privilege of having our staff and myself cultivate you as a leader.”
Entering Year 2 as a wideout, Heard stands as one of UT’s most valuable vertical threats along with John Burt and Dorian Leonard. His straight-line speed is something every defensive coordinator will have to plan for.
“I think the best tight ends and wide receivers are former quarterbacks because they truly know coverages,” Herman said. “They know the ins and outs, they know defenses, they know where holes are, they know even body posture and demeanor of defenders and what that means. So I think it’s a big advantage for him.”
One year ago, Heard was humbled in his battle with Buechele. Now he’s positioned as one of the quarterback’s top targets on a team ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press preseason poll. What a difference 12 months makes.
It may not have been the journey Heard expected, but the decision he made last summer likely prolonged his football career and kept him from wasting away on the sideline. The quarterback inside might never fully fade, but it’s clear Heard is happy where he is.
“I might mess around in 7-on-7, try to take the dust off the arm,” Heard admitted. “But other than that I’m 100 percent receiver. That’s what I’ve been called to do.”