Jerrod Heard embracing transition to wide receiver

*Originally published on ArmchairAllAmericans.com*

Following Jerrod Heard’s record-setting performance against Cal early in the 2015 season, it looked like Texas had found their guy. An explosive athlete with game-breaking ability, the redshirt freshman from Denton appeared poised to be the signal-caller for the Longhorns for years to come.

However, his performance in the nine games following the Cal game were pedestrian at best. During that stretch, Heard threw for only three touchdowns. In five games, he passed for fewer than 100 yards. Teams also managed to contain his running game, severely limiting Heard’s effectiveness.

Now a year removed from that performance, Heard is once again dazzling with the skills he showcased against the Golden Bears. Only now he finds himself catching the passes rather than throwing them.

Heard initially redshirted in 2014 as the back-up to Tyrone Swoopes. When Swoopes began to struggle during that disappointing season, fans clamored to see Heard getting meaningful reps. They wanted to see what the kid who led Denton Guyer to back-to-back state titles could do. Yet Strong held firm in his decision to give Heard a season to develop without losing eligibility.

Heard’s much anticipated debut as the starter came in the home opener last season against an overmatched Rice Owls team. He threw for 120 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 96 yards on the ground. The hype train hit full steam after the Cal game, but down the stretch Heard struggled with inconsistency. Eventually Swoopes reclaimed the starting position.

Shane Buechele’s arrival as an early enrollee in the spring made for a crowded quarterback room. Heard then suffered a shoulder injury in spring practice causing him to fall to the bottom of the depth chart. After the Orange and White game, the freshman Buechele looked to be the favorite to take over the starting position when fall rolled around.

Heading into the summer, it seemed Heard might have better luck finding playing time at a different school. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time in recent memory a Big XII quarterback transferred schools at the first sign of adversity (see: Baker Mayfield). But after Heard posted avideo of himself working out at DKR with receiver gloves on, speculation began that he might be getting ready to switch positions.

Throughout the summer, Strong repeatedly shot down rumors of a position change for Heard. But in August he finally confirmed what many had been speculating: “Juice” was heading to wide receiver. Strong revealed that the change came at the request of Heard during fall camp.

“Jerrod has been battling there at quarterback position and said to me, ‘Coach, I can be the backup at quarterback, but I want to play,’” Strong said. “So I said, ‘Okay, big boy, you tell me where you want to play.’ And he said, ‘Can I go play wide receiver?’ And I said, ‘Most certainly you can.’”

Strong would go on to praise Heard’s attitude with the position change. With all of the quarterback turnover at other schools around the country, having quarterbacks like Heard and Swoopes who have a team-first attitude is a nice perk.

“Jerrod has an unbelievable attitude,” Strong said. “You talk about a team and now you see where this team is headed because now you’re getting guys who are very unselfish.”

So far this season, the position change seems to be working out for Heard. Through four games, the sophomore has 10 receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

No matter where he is lined up on the field, Heard will do whatever it takes for Texas to be successful.

“I do feel like I’ve gotta be out there,” Heard said, via ESPN. “I feel like I’ve got to contribute to this team.”