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Heyward Joins Cincinnati Bengals as Undrafted Free Agent
4/29/2023 9:51:00 PM | Football
DURHAM – Former Duke linebacker Shaka Heyward has agreed to terms with the Cincinnati Bengals to join the NFL organization as an undrafted free agent.
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In 51 career games, 41 starts, Heyward compiled 340 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four interceptions, five fumble recoveries, nine pass breakups, and 12 quarterback pressures. He had 12 double-digit tackle games, posted 36 games with five-plus tackles, and recorded 2.0-plus tackles for loss on five different occasions. In addition, the 2021 and 2022 All-ACC selection finished his career having recorded at least three-plus tackles in 40 straight contests.
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Heyward, who accumulated 3,400 career snaps, graduated tied for eighth in program history in career fumble recoveries (five), 12th in career TFL (32.5), 13th in career tackles (340), and tied for 14th in career sacks (11.5).
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A native of Dacula, Ga., Heyward started and played in 12 games for Duke during his final season, finishing second on the team in tackles (94) and pass breakups (six) and was tied for the team lead in interceptions (two). In addition, the 2022 team captain recorded 6.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one quarterback pressure and two fumble recoveries. He finished eighth in the ACC with 7.75 tackles per game and garnered four double-digit tackle performances, including a season-best 13 tackles against Virginia, North Carolina and Wake Forest. Heyward led or finished second on the team in tackles in 7-of-13 games and earned at least five-plus tackles in nine games.
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Heyward graduated from Duke in December, 2022, with a degree in evolutionary anthropology and a certificate in markets and management.
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#GoDuke
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In 51 career games, 41 starts, Heyward compiled 340 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four interceptions, five fumble recoveries, nine pass breakups, and 12 quarterback pressures. He had 12 double-digit tackle games, posted 36 games with five-plus tackles, and recorded 2.0-plus tackles for loss on five different occasions. In addition, the 2021 and 2022 All-ACC selection finished his career having recorded at least three-plus tackles in 40 straight contests.
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Heyward, who accumulated 3,400 career snaps, graduated tied for eighth in program history in career fumble recoveries (five), 12th in career TFL (32.5), 13th in career tackles (340), and tied for 14th in career sacks (11.5).
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Â.@S_Heyward05 has signed with the @Bengals as an UDFA! ?? pic.twitter.com/tSivjBvf5U
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) April 30, 2023
A native of Dacula, Ga., Heyward started and played in 12 games for Duke during his final season, finishing second on the team in tackles (94) and pass breakups (six) and was tied for the team lead in interceptions (two). In addition, the 2022 team captain recorded 6.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one quarterback pressure and two fumble recoveries. He finished eighth in the ACC with 7.75 tackles per game and garnered four double-digit tackle performances, including a season-best 13 tackles against Virginia, North Carolina and Wake Forest. Heyward led or finished second on the team in tackles in 7-of-13 games and earned at least five-plus tackles in nine games.
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Heyward graduated from Duke in December, 2022, with a degree in evolutionary anthropology and a certificate in markets and management.
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#GoDuke
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Players Mentioned
LB
/ FootballNFL Combine: Brian Parker II
Saturday, February 28
NFL Combine: Chandler Rivers
Thursday, February 26
NFL Combine: Vincent Anthony Jr.
Wednesday, February 25
NFL Combine: Wesley Williams
Wednesday, February 25
