When watching a defense play, most fans’ attention goes to pass-rushers bending around the edge to pursue the quarterback, linebackers roaming from sideline to sideline and cornerbacks tasked with mirroring track-speed receivers down the field. But, one of the biggest X-factors in determining the course of a game very well may be a slot cornerback.
Whether through bone-crushing hits, impressive open-field tackles or sound coverage, Northwestern’s Rod Heard II has proven his mettle over the course of his Wildcat career. In the last two years, Heard has been a do-it-all player for NU, having played 1,127 snaps and posting 66 tackles, two sacks, six tackles for loss, an interception, two forced fumbles and four pass breakups.