Connor Heyward
Connor Heyward is an American professional football fullback and tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans. Heyward is the son of Pro Bowl NFL player Craig Heyward and the younger brother of All-Pro NFL player Cameron Heyward.
Early life
Heyward grew up in Duluth, Georgia and attended Peachtree Ridge High School.College career
Heyward played college football at Michigan State from 2017 to 2021, beginning his college career as a running back.On November 25, 2017, Heyward recorded his first collegiate touchdown against Rutgers.
As a sophomore in 2018, he rushed 118 times for 529 yards and five touchdowns and had 32 catches for 249 yards. After losing his starting position after the first game of the 2019 season to Elijah Collins, Heyward later left the team and entered the NCAA transfer portal. He later returned to the team and redshirted the year. Heyward led the Spartans with 65 carries and had 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns with 18 receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns in the team's COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. Prior to the 2021 season, Heyward moved from running back to H-back. He caught 35 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns in his final season.
College statistics
Professional career
Heyward was selected in the sixth round with the 208th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.On December 4, 2022, Heyward scored his first professional touchdown during Week 13 at the Atlanta Falcons, a 17-yard catch, getting both feet inbounds at the back of the end zone. In his rookie season, he appeared in 17 games. He finished with 12 receptions for 151 receiving yards and one touchdown. Heyward finished the 2023 season with 23 receptions for 167 yards. Heyward made his first playoff appearance this season in a 31–17 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild card round. He appeared in 17 games and started five in the 2024 season. He had one touchdown, which came in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys. He recorded a second postseason appearance in a 28–14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
In the 2025 season, Heyward made the Steelers' roster as their starting fullback and as a reserve tight end backing up Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington. Heyward scored a receiving touchdown on a 12 yard reception during Week 6's win over the Cleveland Browns.
Throughout the 2025 season, Heyward was used primarily in a form of the tush push, where he would line up in the quarterback position and be "pushed" over the line- typically in goal line or short yardage situations. Heyward finished the 2025 season with 15 total carries for 43 yards and two rushing touchdowns.