If you can recall, sophomore Jerrod Heard generated much enthusiasm and buzz last September when the then redshirt freshman laid claim to the new single-game record by accumulating 527 yards of total offense in his second start against California. Heard would start 10 games under center for the Longhorns, but never captured the same amount of success he had in the Cal game as he would finish with only a 101.2 yards per game average.
Heard’s regression was enough cause for concern to open the quarterback position up as he would finish the season with a 57.9 percent completion rate, 1,214 passing yards, 556 rushing yards, eight total touchdowns and five interceptions.
Jerrod Heard now finds himself lining up as a wide receiver when he asked to switch positions for the Texas Longhorns due to his falling behind of senior Tyrone Swoopes and freshman Shane Buechele in the starting quarterback competition.
Heard’s transition to wide receiver and has gone well as he continues to adjusts into his new role and looks to be an impact player for the Texas offense.
“He was all smiles about it and went out and has competed and is doing an unbelievable job,” said head coach Charlie Strong. “When you see that change of attitude, now your team is headed in the direction you want them to go,” as reported by Hookem.com
He has continued to see a few reps at the quarterback position while practicing as a wide receiver. Coach Strong has also made it clear that Jerrod Heard will have a strong chance to be on the field as a receiver in the season opener against Notre Dame on September 4th. Texas has yet to name a starting quarterback as Swoopes and Buechele will continue to battle it out.
