User:Peteforsyth/Eddie Heard

Eddie Heard, Jr. is an American football player. He joined the Oregon Ducks football team in 2014 as a member of the defensive line. Prior to joining the Ducks, he played for Laney College in Oakland, California.

As a young man, Heard played baseball with the Ghost Town Royals, visiting Cuba as documented in a film released in 2015. His high school, McClymonds, was not able to field a baseball team, so he became a quarterback and defensive end for its football team. He also swam, ran track, and played baseball. He played in the Holiday Classic All Star game, which features standout high school athletes from Sacramento and the East Bay, in December 2011. He signed with Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2012, but instead attended Laney College, because he wanted to keep the option of playing baseball open. His fastball reaches the low 90s.

Heard joined the Laney football team "on a whim" in 2013, now on the defensive line. He had 23 tackles, 7 for loss, and 4 sacks over 11 games in 2013 as a rush outside linebacker. His strong football performance drew offers from around the country. He earned a scholarship offer from the Missouri Tigers football program, and announced he would join the team, but shortly after, he signed with Oregon instead. While competing for a starting position as a defensive linebacker, Heard continued to consider the option of returning to baseball.

Oregon played the Washington Huskies, whose junior cornerback Marcus Peters also played for McClymonds, in October 2014. Heard won weekly scout team honors in November 2014. Heard has been described as having a reputation as an intelligent player and a quick learner.

For the 2016 season, Heard -- now a senior -- transitioned from outside linebacker to the line.