Shaka Heyward
Position: LB
Jersey #: 45
Date of Birth: April 19, 2000
Height / Weight: 6'3" / 238 lbs
College: Duke
Drafted: Round , Pick in 2023 by
First Team: (2023)
Last Team: MIA (2026)
Career Summary
Duke linebacker.
Shaka Heyward played 51 games with 41 starts at Duke and finished with 339 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.
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College Career
Captaincy and defensive leadership.
Heyward led Duke with 98 tackles in 2021 and earned third-team All-ACC honors. A team captain in 2022, he recorded 93 tackles and two interceptions and received the team's defensive MVP award.
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Path to the NFL
Free-agent agreement with Cincinnati.
Heyward signed a free-agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in May 2023.
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Sources for this section
29806, 00-0038890, 2000-04-19, Shaka Heyward, Shaka, Heyward
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
#220Linebackers
MFT Score: 40.9
2026 preseason baseline. Position-relative and updated through the site’s weekly review process.