BYU DB Eddie Heckard Earns Big 12 Player Of The Week Honor
Oct 23, 2023, 11:28 AM | Updated: 1:21 pm
PROVO, Utah – BYU standout Eddie Heckard is the top player in the Big 12 Conference this week.
That’s because Heckard, the graduate transfer from Weber State, was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.
#BYU's Eddie Heckard is the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.
Recovered a fumble for a touchdown along with an interception in the 27-14 win over Texas Tech.#BYUFootball #Big12 pic.twitter.com/QMfTqjNcuq
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 23, 2023
Heckard had an impactful performance in BYU’s 27-14 win on October 21 against Texas Tech.
The 5-foot-10 Heckard, who hails from Las Vegas, had an interception against Red Raiders freshman QB Jake Strong.
He also had a fumble recovery that resulted in a defensive touchdown for BYU.
It was a big performance for a BYU team that desperately needed to get back on the winning side of things in Big 12 play.
To go along with his takeaways, Heckard also had four tackles and two pass deflections.
Eddie Heckard is the third BYU football player to earn Big 12 POTW
Heckard is the third BYU player this season to earn Big 12 Player of the Week recognition. The other two were punter Ryan Rehkow in week one against Sam Houston and Tyler Batty in week three after the win over Arkansas.
The other Big 12 Player of the Week awards were given to Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II, who earned the Offensive Player of the Week.
A great week eight for these #Big12FB award winners 🏈
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 23, 2023
Gordon had a career day rushing for 282 yards and four touchdowns in a road win at West Virginia.
Then Oklahoma wide receiver Nic Anderson took home the Newcomer of the Week honor. Finally, Baylor kicker Isaiah Hankins claimed Special Teams Player of the Week after hitting all four field goal attempts in a win over Cincinnati.
Next up for BYU football in the Big 12
Heckard and BYU football now turn their attention to this Saturday against No. 7 Texas. BYU is 5-2 overall on the season, 2-2 in Big 12 play.
Heckard has 23 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, seven pass deflections, and three interceptions this season for BYU.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X and Threads: @Mitch_Harper.
