Former Old Dominion QB Taylor Heinicke Gets First NFL Start

Former Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke will make his first NFL start on Sunday for the Carolina Panthers.

Over the last decade, the Old Dominion has rebooted their football program, dominated the FCS, and transitioned into FBS as a member of Conference USA. At no point, however, has a former quarterback from the Monarchs’ program started an NFL game.

Taylor Heinicke, a guy who starred at Old Dominion through both the FCS and FBS years, will change that on Sunday as he gets a start at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers aren’t totally out of the playoffs, either. Yes, it’s a long shot for them to make the postseason, but according to FiveThirtyEight, Carolina has a one-percent chance going into Week 16. If they win their final two games, that number jumps up to 11 percent. Taylor Heinicke, who has completed three passes in his NFL career, will play a big role in how things turn out.

The Panthers will host Atlanta at 1pm in Week 16, followed by a road game against New Orleans in Week 17.

Heinicke was an FCS All-American in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, he also won the Walter Payton Award, which is the FCS equivalent to the Heisman Trophy in FBS.