IRVING, Texas — BYU cornerback Eddie Heckard was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week today for his performance against Texas Tech last Saturday.
Heckard had two takeaways in the Cougars’ 27-14 win over the Red Raiders. The senior grad transfer from Las Vegas, Nevada, recovered a fumble in the end zone with 2:10 remaining in the first quarter to give BYU a 14-0 early lead.
Right before halftime, Heckard intercepted a Red Raider pass at the BYU 22-yard line and returned it 38 yards to the TTU 40. Six plays later the Cougars kicked a field goal for a 24-7 BYU advantage. Heckard also recorded four tackles, including a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup in the game.
Prior to the 2023 season, Heckard was named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 Fourth Team and had the third-highest Pro Football Focus grade among returning Big 12 cornerbacks.
Before transferring to BYU for his senior season, Heckard played 49 career games at Weber State. He was an Associated Press FCS Second Team All-American in 2022 and received All-Big Sky First Team honors for three seasons. Heckard was a starter on three teams that won Big Sky Championships, and because of an extra year due to Covid played on four teams that advanced to the FCS Playoffs.
As a Wildcat, he had seven interceptions, six forced fumbles, and 218 tackles. He also tallied
30 pass breakups at Weber State, the second-most in school history. Heckard earned a bachelor’s degree at Weber State with a double major in professional sales and mechanical engineering before transferring to BYU.
Other Big 12 Player of the Week honorees for week eight of the 2023 college football season include Ollie Gordon II, OSU (offense), Nic Anderson, OU (newcomer) and Isaiah Hankins, Baylor (special teams).
Heckard is the third Cougar to be honored as Big 12 Player of the Week during the 2023 season, joining Tyler Batty who received the defensive honor in week three and Ryan Rehlow who received the special teams honor in week one.