BYU COUGARS

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.

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.

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 KSLsports.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.

Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

  • BYU Cougars Scoreboard

  • BYU Cougars Team Leaders

  • BYU Cougars Standings

BYU Cougars

BYU Football, First Team, All-Big 12, Caleb Etienne...

Mitch Harper

Three BYU Football Players Receive First Team All-Big 12 Honors

BYU has First-Team All-Conference players for the first time in 14 years.

2 days ago

BYU Football, Signing Day, What We Learned...

Mitch Harper

Five Things We Learned From BYU’s Early Signing Day

Busy, productive day for BYU football to kick off the Early Signing Period.

3 days ago

AJ Dybantsa, Top Four, BYU Basketball, Utah Prep...

Mitch Harper

BYU Makes Top Four Cut For No. 1 Recruit AJ Dybantsa

AJ Dybantsa has BYU in his final four schools.

3 days ago

Jake Retzlaff...

Brian Preece

BYU QB Jake Retzlaff Lands Faith-Based NIL Deal

In a nod to his religious upbringing, Retzlaff signed a sponsorship deal with Jewish food brand Manischewitz as part of an NIL agreement.

3 days ago

BYU Football, Luke McGary, Transfer Portal Offer...

Mitch Harper

BYU Football Offers Transfer Portal TE From Tulsa

BYU football gets in the mix for a transfer portal tight end.

3 days ago

Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, Kalani Sitake, Chris Kemoeatu, BYU, Utah...

Mitch Harper

Kalani Sitake, Chris Kemoeatu Named To Polynesian Football Hall Of Fame

The 2025 class for the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week – Week 15

SALT LAKE CITY – The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Salt Lake County. Presented by Hercules First Federal Credit Union, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our co-winners this week were Esun Tafa and Cooper Kingston from […]

...

Utah County High School Player of the Week – Week 15

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep football players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the gridiron and exceptional play. Our co-winners this week were Aaron Dunn from Spanish Fork High School and […]

Rice-Eccles Stadium...

Crimson Cliffs Completes Epic Comeback To Win 4A State Championship

Crimson Cliffs needed the largest comeback in Utah state history to knock off the Spanish Fork Dons 57-55 in triple overtime.

corner canyon football celebrates win over lehi...

Corner Canyon Comes From Behind To Win 6A State Championship

The Corner Canyon Chargers fell behind early but didn't panic, scoring 23 straight points to beat Lone Peak 30-27.

Siaki Fekitoa...

Siaki Fekitoa’s Four TDs Lead Bountiful To 5A State Championship

Title Thursday started on a high note with a fireworks-filled offensive show as Bountiful held on to beat Roy 42-35.

...

Northern Utah High School Player of the Week – Week 14

SALT LAKE CITY – The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Northern Utah. Presented by John Watson Chevrolet in Ogden, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our co-winners of the week were Beck Sheffield from Morgan High School […]

BYU DB Eddie Heckard Earns Big 12 Player Of The Week Honor