NFL Draft Profile: Shaka Heyward, Linebacker, Duke Blue Devils

NFL Draft profile scouting report for Duke LB Shaka Heyward

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#42
Pos: LB
Ht: 6025
Wt: 235
Hand: 0948
Arm: 3400
Wing: 8078
40: 4.53
DOB: 4/19/2000
Hometown: Hoschton, GA
High School: Mill Creek
Eligibility: 2023

Shaka Heyward
Duke Blue Devils

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One-Liner:

Long limbed, skinny weakside linebacker with below average athleticism and lackluster strength.

Evaluation:

Possessing great length, Heyward is able to prevent blockers from gaining access to his frame if he extends.That length helps him get a hand on ball carriers at unfavorable angles. A good initial reaction often allows Heyward to be a step ahead of blockers at the second level. He is patient and gap sound from the backside, not losing contain. With his skinny build comes lackluster strength, preventing him from absorbing strikes. Heyward is unable to blow up protecting backs on the blitz. Little upper body strength prevents him from extending consistently. His high center of gravity lets blockers gain leverage and uproot him. Below-average hand precision and violence cause him to not beat blockers decisively. Heyward is an average athlete in a straight line with close-quarter quickness that prevents him from changing directions suddenly and causes him to get faked out in space. He is slow to locate ball carriers when taking on blocks. Inconsistent eye discipline and ability to dissect plays leaves him in unfavorable positions against misdirection. Not trusting his eyes causes him to play slowly and prevents him from making splash plays consistently even when he is in position. Long-limbed linebacker with a skinny core and below-average athleticism. Heyward has a good first step and is best at defending runs from the backside. He lacks strength and is inconsistent dissecting plays, not trusting his eyes. Heyward projects as a camp weakside linebacker whose length will not be enough to stick on a practice squad. 

Grade:

UDFA

Background:

Shaka Heyward is entering the 2022 season with the Blue Devils after his All ACC selection 3rd team in 2021. During his time at Duke, Heyward has recorded one hundred and forty eight tackles with six and a half sacks so far in his career. Before coming to Duke, he was a three star prospect and a top sixty ranked linebacker in the nation. Heyward was also born on April 19,2000 and is Majoring in Evolutionary Anthropology and is Minoring in Psychology. Heyward has an extensive family background in football, including being a cousin to current Steeler Cameron Heyward.