Connor Heyward scores his first career NFL touchdown with vs. Falcons

What a career path Connor Heyward has taken. The former Spartan came to Michigan State as an “athlete” recruit as Mark Dantonio didn’t know exactly where he’d play him.

Heyward played a little linebacker in high school and also running back and Dantonio decided to play him at the latter in East Lansing. He had a decent start to his career, leading the team in rushing in 2018, but it just never felt like that was his natural position.

In 2019, he opened the season as one of a handful of backs getting a good chunk of carries and he decided to transfer from the program after four games.

After the coaching change following the 2019 season, he listened to Mel Tucker’s pitch and decided to return to Michigan State instead of remaining in the portal. That ended up being one of the best decisions of his career as it was revitalized with a position change heading into 2021. He became an H-back and was one of the most valuable offensive players on the team and went from average running back to NFL draft prospect.

And on Sunday afternoon, he caught his first career touchdown pass with the Steelers who drafted him in the sixth round this year.

Connor Heyward scores his first touchdown

As a rookie and sixth-round pick, it’s tough to carve out a role on the roster but Pittsburgh really liked what it saw from Heyward when they drafted him. He had a really good preseason and now he’s contributing in the regular season.

Heading into Sunday against the Falcons, he had seven career catches for 76 yards.

On Sunday, he added his first touchdown.

File this under “things you just love to see” because Heyward has earned everything he’s gotten in his career and the resilience of this dude is unbelievable.

“Kenny Pickett throws a touchdown pass to Connor Heyward” is one thing I never thought I’d hear.