Athletic department officials have confirmed that redshirt sophomore fullback Jerome Heavens has left the Cyclone football team and Iowa State. His departure is reportedly due to academic concerns, making him Head Coach Dan McCarney’s first returning scholarship casualty in over three years at the ISU helm.

Heavens, a reserve tailback and fullback a year ago, entered Spring practice as the Cyclone’s starting fullback for 1998. With three-year starter Joe Parmentier sidelined with injuries during the Spring, Heavens got a majority of practice reps and was looking forward to a lot of playing time this season.

According to McCarney, Heavens had not been practicing with the team since the beginning of two-a-days. His fears were confirmed on Wednesday when he found that he would be academically ineligible.

Heavens came to Iowa State from St. Bernard’s High School of Inglewood, California, where he rushed for 1,600 yards and 11 touchdowns.

In one year of competition at ISU, Jerome managed 94 yards rushing and 68 yards in pass receptions, mostly as a backup.

Before the news of his ineligibility, Heavens discussed his excitement for the upcoming season and his love for the Cyclone faithful.

“The crowd here is excellent. They offer us a lot of support. When it’s third-and-one, we know they’ll be there. We start motioning from the sideline and they respond immediately. I really enjoy playing for these fans,” he said.

Heavens absence will likely push senior Joe Parmentier back into the starting role and will open the door for Junior Hez Jackson and true Freshmen Atif Austin and Ennis Haywood, Jr.

Jackson has seen limited action over the past two seasons for the Cyclones after a successful high school career in Tampa, Florida. A three-year starter, Jackson opened holes for tailbacks that racked up 1,200, 1,400 and 1,900 yards.

Austin rushed for 1,995 yards and 16 touchdowns last season as a senior (9.8 yards per carry). He was named first-team all-state and honored as Pinellas County’s Extraordinary Athlete of the Year and the North Conference Player of the Year.

Haywood, who played his high school ball in Dallas, was listed as one of the top 16 running back recruits in the state of Texas.