Happy day for Hecks: Rockhurst grad, son of Chiefs assistant drafted by Houston Texans
Former Rockhurst High football standout Charlie Heck, the son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck, has been drafted by the Houston Texans out of the University of North Carolina.
Heck, a hulking offensive lineman (6-foot-8, 311 pounds) who also garnered offers from K-State, Kansas, Indiana and other schools before graduating from Rockhurst in 2015, was selected Saturday in the fourth round (126th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
And Dad could not be more proud.
“I really do think his best ball is ahead of him,” Andy Heck said. “I’m excited for him. I think he’s going to develop really into a fine NFL offensive tackle. I’ve known all along that’s what he’s wanted.”
A three-star, 247-pound tight end for the Hawklets who bulked up in college, Charlie Heck ran a 5.16 time in the 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 21 reps at the late-February NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He was unable to work out via a UNC pro day because of the coronavirus pandemic, so he’s been home in Kansas City lately.
Heck played in eight games at UNC during his redshirt freshman season, then started 11 of 12 at right tackle in 2017. He was elevated to a full-time starting role at right tackle in 2018 before switching to left tackle and starting all games but one in 2019. The only game missed was due to a broken hand, an injury that necessitated a cast that he wore for half the season. Cast and all, he allowed just one sack and was named second-team All-ACC last fall.
The elder Heck couldn’t help but think “what if” as this year’s picks were being made. As in, what if the Chiefs had a chance, in the right scenario at the right time, to draft him ... and did?
“One of the things that was going on in the background is, of course, I’m evaluating offensive line and guys for the Chiefs,” Andy Heck said of how Saturday played out. “I’m aware of Charlie and I’m grading him, and as a dad, I’m like, ‘Man, we should pick this guy in the first round.’ But (I was) trying to be realistic about that.”
Charlie Heck was the second Kansas City-area player drafted this year. Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, who played at Olathe North High, was picked No. 8 overall by the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday.
Andy Heck helped lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl championship in February, so it’s been quite a year for the Heck household. Andy Heck was a first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 1989 after a successful college career at Notre Dame and played 12 years in the NFL for three teams.
And Charlie’s older brother Jon played at UNC and is now on the football staff there.
“We couldn’t be prouder of Charlie and want to congratulate him on this accomplishment,” UNC coach Mack Brown said in a statement. “He’s just a good young man, who handles himself with class and integrity. The Texans got a good one in Charlie and I expect him to have a long and successful career.”
In its pre-draft assessment of Heck, NFL.com wrote that he is “much more fluid than expected for his size. ... Athleticism and agility to accelerate into or adjust to moving targets ... Makes combo blocks with desired rhythm.” The same evaluation noted that he needs to work on his core strength “for better body control,” among other things.
Draft Network likes him as a potential NFL starter, noting his “laterally mobility, foot speed and the functional athleticism needed to get out in space.”
However his son’s NFL career plays out, Andy Heck is looking forward to some extra-interesting matchups with the Texans in an already lively KC-Houston rivalry.
“I’m really excited that he’s heading to Houston. It will be fun,” he said. “It sure feels like we play Houston every year and we’ve got some great battles between Houston and Kansas City going on, so it will be fun to compete against him.”
This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 2:29 PM with the headline "Happy day for Hecks: Rockhurst grad, son of Chiefs assistant drafted by Houston Texans."