LAWRENCE — Talk to his Kansas teammates, and they’ll tell you that middle linebacker Ben Heeney is pretty much the same as he’s always been in fall camp.
“He’s crazy, wild and energetic,†nose tackle Keon Stowers said of Heeney.
But internally for Heeney, there’s a little more incentive this time around as the senior is beginning his final season a Jayhawk.
“It’s all or nothing right now,†Heeney said. “This is my last opportunity to leave an impact on this program and that’s what I’m trying to do.â€
In many ways Heeney already has done that. The Hutchinson native has been the face of the KU defense the last two seasons as he is well known for his relentless playing style, leadership, big-play ability and superhero status.
Heeney, who was named preseason all-Big 12 after recording 88 tackles last year, leads a veteran linebacker group that includes Michael Reynolds, Jake Love, and Victor Simmons — all of whom committed to KU under former coach Turner Gill.
When Heeney signed out of high school, he played running back and safety. He rushed for 2,083 yards and scored 39 touchdowns his senior year at Hutchinson.
His freshman year at KU, he played in all 12 games, splitting time on special teams and on defense. He was still somewhat new to the linebacker position then but has since found a home in the middle of KU’s defense.
“I like throwing my body in there and making plays and making tackles,†said Heeney, who has made a combined 200 stops the last two seasons. “But I think middle linebacker is my favorite position. It’s the most fun. I get to make a lot of plays.â€
Perhaps Heeney’s most memorable play came last year against West Virginia when he intercepted a pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown to help KU end its 27-game Big 12 winless streak. But at 6-foot, 230 pounds, Heeney isn’t exactly your prototypical NFL linebacker, though he has drawn comparisons to Zach Thomas.
“Anyone who says (Heeney’s) not fast enough, they obviously don’t watch the same games that I watch,†Kansas coach Charlie Weis said. “I mean, because this guy is a legitimate frontline player. I’m not reaching when I say that he might be as good as any defensive player in the league.â€
Weis said he knew by the end of his first season as KU coach that Heeney could develop into the type of player that Kansas fans have loved to watch the past two seasons. But seeing Heeney up close is another matter.
“He’s just a good guy to be around,†Stowers said. “He’s not going to take any crap from nobody. If you come half-step, no matter if you’re a walk-on or a freshman or a fifth-year senior, he’s going to rip into your butt. We need more guys like that.â€
During Heeney’s career at KU, the Jayhawks have gone 6-30, so the postseason was never really in the picture. But Heeney isn’t one who likes to sit around. It doesn’t fit his personality, so being home for the holidays isn’t exactly a good thing. But he hopes to change that this year.
Heeney wants to be remembered for something more than stats, accolades, a bushy beard and being a diabolical defender. He wants to be remembered as a winner who capped his career in style.
“I want to go to a bowl game more than anything else just to experience that because I know it’s one of the best experiences you could have as a college football player,†Heeney said. “I think that’s our goal. I don’t want to be at home for Christmas.
