This could be this year's Chris Borland. Here is what some are saying...
ESPN:
9. Ben Heeney, LB, Kansas (16): Few players can match the productivity of Captain Heeney in 2014. The Jayhawks senior left his best for last, leading the Big 12 with 10.58 tackles per game and 88 solo tackles. Heeney could make plays from sideline to sideline and finished his final season with double-digit tackles in seven games, including a 21-tackle game against Texas Tech. KU didn’t have the team success he was striving for, but Heeney did everything he could for the Jayhawks.
Bleacher Report:
I really can’t say enough about this linebacker out of Kansas. If you ask me, he's near the top of my list of prospects who could end up being one of the biggest sleepers in this entire draft.
I pored over hours of film for days studying traditional linebackers from this draft class, and though there were some guys who flashed potential and the occasional positive trait, nobody got me as excited as Ben Heeney.
Heeney is an incredible athlete who matches that impressive tool with an equal amount of aggression and ferocity that he is able to contain just enough to play effectively within the confines of the defensive system he is a part of.
If you’re looking for a sideline-to-sideline player who is a solid tackler and instinctual player, Heeney might be one of the best in this class.
Unfortunately the available tape on this guy is somewhat limited, but what is available happens to be outstanding, if you know what you’re looking for.
In addition to his game film, Heeney also established himself as the fastest prospect per pound at the combine when averaging out his 40-yard dash, short shuttle and 3-cone times while factoring in his 231 pounds.
This guy can run you over, force turnovers through the air or on the ground, cover downfield—and chase down some of the fastest guys in the nation. He plays with a rare fire and athleticism that I believe could land him in the Pro Bowl one day.
KC Star:
When former Wisconsin star Chris Borland participated in last year’s NFL Combine, he fielded multiple questions about comparisons to another productive, diminutive inside linebacker — former Miami Dolphins star Zach Thomas.
So perhaps it’s fitting that, following Borland’s star turn as a rookie, when he racked up 107 tackles and a ridiculous Pro Football Focus rating of 20.8 in only 487 defensive snaps for the 49ers, he has become the bar for short linebackers coming out this year … like Kansas’ Ben Heeney.
“Chris Borland and Luke Kuechly are a couple of names I like to model myself after,” Heeney said Friday at the NFL Combine. “Borland is a kind of a guy of similar size to me, so a lot of guys coming out didn’t think he was going to be able to play in the league and he’s obviously proven them wrong. I just look up to playmakers. I look up to good players.”
Heeney, who checks in at 6 feet and 231 pounds, had a productive senior season in which he racked up 127 tackles, 12 for loss, in 12 games. He is projected by CBSSports.com to be a fifth-round pick.
Borland, for his part, went in the second round to San Francisco. Heeney says he’s only recently become hip to Borland, largely because he was so locked in on his own football career.
“In college, you don’t really get to watch other college teams because you’re playing at the same time as them,” Heeney said. “His name just kind of stuck out to me. I looked him up and started watching him, and I think he’s a really good player. I can see the comparisons.”
Heeney says he has not spoken to the Chiefs yet, but hopes to do so at some point.
“It would mean everything, man,” Heeney said of the chance to play in Kansas City. “I’d be real close to home (he’s from Hutchinson, Kan.), my family lives in Kansas City. It would be awesome to be a Chief, but I’ll be happy just to make a team. I don’t care where I go.”
PROJECTED ROUND: 5th (obviously could go earlier)
The defensive personnel in the middle of the second & third levels are going to look a lot different in '15. That's a good thing.
Um, no. Borland was the 13th pick in the third round, #77 overall.
Quote:
Ben is a playmaker who is around the ball on just about every play. When an offense throws to a check down receiver, Ben looks like he gets shot out of a bazooka and takes that player down like he’s on a horse roping a steer. Ben is a head up, wrap up, squeeze and drive tackler with quick feet and the strength to take down players bigger than he is because he plays like a pit bull looking for meat...Ben shows a combination of talent and skills few players bring with them coming out of college game... He has the quick feet and athleticism to cover and understands zone coverage better than most linebackers who play in the NFL now....There are linebackers bigger than Ben, but there are none that are better.
That's what I'm talking about!
WEAKNESSES Does not look the part of an NFL linebacker. Lacks the size and NFL "take-on" qualities against offensive linemen. Subpar pass defender in space and had only one pass defensed all season. Play strength and functional speed are missing. Was the college football leader in missed tackles in 2014.
Unless he's there in the 4th or later, I'd pass.
Although I think he could add 5-10 pounds of muscle without sacrificing speed, I don't think of him as a MLB. I'd love to see him as a 4-3 WLB allowing him to pin his ears back and attack which is what he does best. In his career, Heeney had 35.5 TFL's at his height/weight and on a terrible Kansas team. There are edge rushers we're talking about at 9 that don't even come close to that. His play was a bit undisciplined but I think that's because he was trying to overcompensate for the lack of talent around him. Coaches love him and if he were in blue, I'm sure we'd see some controlled and productive play out of him.
I think of Heeney as a poor man's DeAndre Levy. Levy played some MLB at Wisconsin before going in the 3rd rd to the Lions in '09. Levy is the two time defending Lions' defensive MVP (not Suh) and was 2nd team All-Pro last year. I think Heeney will be in the same range and could develop into a quality starter down the line.
Quote:
STRENGTHS Regional scouts say he is absolutely beloved by coaching staff. Produced eye-catching "tackles for loss" numbers in 2014. Tape grinder always looking for an advantage. Has no interest in waiting for play to come to him and looks to make things happen. Always around the ball and rarely comes off the field.
WEAKNESSES Does not look the part of an NFL linebacker. Lacks the size and NFL "take-on" qualities against offensive linemen. Subpar pass defender in space and had only one pass defensed all season. Play strength and functional speed are missing. Was the college football leader in missed tackles in 2014.
Unless he's there in the 4th or later, I'd pass.
Well yeah I'd take him in the fourth too that's why he's a sleeper, but still he had 120+ tackles. So that means the opportunities he's allowing himself to tackle someone is off the charts if he's leading in missed tackles as well lol you're making me want him drafted by the Giants more.
Also go look at the strengths and weaknesses for Borland and Kennard as well from last year. You'll find overlap. Also, in the great words of Leveon "420" Bell "I find it funny how these guys are "qualified" to talk about the draft... No way they watch legitimate film".
You're my boy Milton! We'll start the B.Heeney Beezer Brigade Bandwagon. Someone get JR on the phone please he needs to know about this
The question seems to be where he fits. His face may say Dick Butkus, but his body says Derrick Brooks. I haven't watched a Kansas game in years, so I have no opinion.
I have him in my draft in the 5th rd. I don't think he is worth an earlier pick. JMHO.
He's a player who'd be useful regardless, even if only for STs and in pass rush situations.
The Bearded "Diabolical Defender" - ( New Window )
He was not invited to the combine, but another tackling machine who is just over 6 foot. Shows excellent speed and awareness.