By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland Plain Dealer) –

Breaking down the best 20 Ohio State players on the roster right now as the Buckeyes open practice today.

No. 6: Junior defensive lineman Cameron Heyward

I was talking with former Detroit Lions’ general manager Matt Millen at the Big Ten meetings two weeks ago about Terrelle Pryor. And Millen just brought up Cameron Heyward.

He likes, as he called him, “Ironhead’s kid,” a lot. And what’s not to like?

When Heyward plays defensive tackle, he’s Ohio State’s best defensive tackle. Generic pills When he plays defensive end, he may be the Buckeyes’ most complete package against the pass and the run at defensive end.

Heyward is listed as a starting defensive end opposite Thaddeus Gibson. But like last year, expect that against spread offenses, Heyward will be inside at tackle at least part of the time, while against more traditional offensive teams, he’ll be outside at end.

With the depth Ohio State has at end, with Gibson and Heyward joined by Lawrence Wilson, Nathan Williams, Solomon Thomas and maybe Rob Rose, I feel like Heyward can help the Buckeyes more inside, where his athleticism stands out even more.

But defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Jim Heacock thought Heyward played better at end last season.

Either way, Heyward will be on the field a lot, and he’ll be one of the best players out there.

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