For Heaney, future is an open book

Brandon Heaney is sweating out football dreams one more summer.

Just back from playing with his seven-month-old Lab in a Provo park the other day, Heaney said the anxious dog needed to run and play out some pent-up energy.

Well, so does Heaney.

It's a feeling he hoped for 253 days ago. That's when a surgeon operated on his left shoulder and he crossed his fingers he was not done.

Now he runs until he feels his kidneys might pop out of his ears.

Rewind it. Last year at this time, Heaney worked his butt off and was in the best shape of his life heading into his senior season as a BYU cornerback. It all came crumbling down when he dislocated his left shoulder early in the season — this after going through most of the year recovering from surgery on his right shoulder.

Today, Heaney feels he's on track to replay his senior season after the NCAA granted him a sixth season of college eligibility. Sweat and and work? Bring it on.

"It feels great," Heaney said. "I've had a long time to heal and repair. I'm happy with the progress and there's been no discomfort."

If ever there was a guy who deserved a good break, it's Heaney. This shoulder thing's had him tied in a knot. Two seasons ago, his right shoulder popped out when he turned wrong in bed. He played with pain every week.

"I'm about 90 percent from where I was pre-injury on that left side," Heaney said.

He is bench-pressing 275 pounds, which isn't his priority. "My 40 time is my emphasis right now," he said. "The strength will come back in my shoulder as we go."

In a few weeks, NFL scouts will drop in and time BYU seniors. Heaney also plans on participating in a BYU football player challenge to other students, faculty and employees who work at Intermountain Health Care — the Eco Challenge. It's a one-mile swim, 50-mile bike ride and eight-mile trail run at Sundance slated for June 12.

Not for the faint and weak.

There are about 45 or so BYU football players who've decided to stay in Provo all summer for voluntary workouts. Most are slated to start or be backup players on the roster. Three times a week they run outside and then line up and throw the ball around sans coaches. They also lift weights and generally live the life of gladiators.

Those players got together and elected team captains for the summer.