Connor Heyward

Connor Heyward (born January 22, 1999) is an American professional football fullback for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans. Heyward is the son of Pro Bowl NFL player Craig Heyward and the younger brother of All-Pro NFL player Cameron Heyward, and the two brothers were teammates during Connor's first four seasons. Early life Heyward grew up in Duluth, Georgia and attended Peachtree Ridge High School.

College career

Heyward played college football at Michigan State from 2017 to 2021, beginning his college career as a running back.

On November 25, 2017, Heyward recorded his first collegiate touchdown against Rutgers.

As a sophomore in 2018, he rushed 118 times for 529 yards and five touchdowns and had 32 catches for 249 yards. After losing his starting position after the first game of the 2019 season to Elijah Collins, Heyward later left the team and entered the NCAA transfer portal. He later returned to the team and redshirted the year. Heyward led the Spartans with 65 carries and had 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns with 18 receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns in the team's COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. Prior to the 2021 season, Heyward moved from running back to H-back. He caught 35 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns in his final season.

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

Heyward was selected in the sixth round with the 208th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On December 4, 2022, Heyward scored his first professional touchdown during Week 13 at the Atlanta Falcons, a 17-yard catch, getting both feet inbounds at the back of the end zone. In his rookie season, he appeared in 17 games. He finished with 12 receptions for 151 receiving yards and one touchdown. Heyward finished the 2023 season with 23 receptions for 167 yards. Heyward made his first playoff appearance this season in a 31–17 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild card round. He appeared in 17 games and started five in the 2024 season. He had one touchdown, which came in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys. He recorded a second postseason appearance in a 28–14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

In the 2025 season, Heyward made the Steelers' roster as a hybrid fullback and tight end. Heyward scored a receiving touchdown on a 12 yard reception during Week 6's win over the Cleveland Browns.

Heyward also started playing wildcat quarterback on quarterback designed run plays, including multiple tush push plays. Heyward finished the 2025 season with 15 total carries for 43 yards and two rushing touchdowns and 3 receptions for 21 yards and one receiving touchdown.

Las Vegas Raiders On March 13, 2026, the Las Vegas Raiders signed Heyward to a two-year $5.5 million contract with $2 million guaranteed.

Career statistics

Legend Bold Career high NFL

Regular season Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles Tackles 2022 PIT 17 0 12 151 12.6 45 1 2 27 13.5 21 0 0 0 0 9 3 6 2023 PIT 17 7 23 167 7.3 13 0 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 2024 PIT 17 5 6 40 6.7 16 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0 8 6 2 2025 PIT 17 2 3 21 7.0 12 1 15 43 2.9 29 2 0 0 0 9 3 6 Career 68 14 44 379 8.6 45 3 18 70 3.9 29 2 1 0 0 28 13 15

Postseason Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles 2023 PIT 1 0 1 5 5.0 5 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 2024 PIT 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 2025 PIT 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 Career 3 0 1 5 5.0 5 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

College Year Team Games Receiving Rushing GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD 2017 Michigan State 12 0 4 13 3.3 7 1 3 10 3.3 7 0 2018 Michigan State 13 8 32 249 7.8 36 0 118 529 4.5 80 5 2019 Michigan State 4 1 7 52 7.4 15 1 24 79 3.3 14 0 2020 Michigan State 7 6 18 71 3.9 13 2 65 200 3.1 14 0 2021 Michigan State 13 13 35 326 9.3 35 2 1 7 7.0 7 0Career 49 28 96 711 7.4 36 6 211 825 3.9 80 5

Personal life Heyward is the son of Pro Bowl NFL player Craig Heyward. His older brother, Cameron Heyward, is an All-Pro defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His older brother, Corey Heyward, played college basketball for Georgia Tech.