He usually wears glasses to class - the Clark Kent, mild-mannered-reporter kind. But on this day, Taylor Heinicke left his specs at home.
No matter. With or without them, he's an anonymous face among the hundreds of students hurrying along Kaufman Mall. No one recognizes him, and he likes it that way.
He turns into Old Dominion University's engineering building and settles in a back corner of a classroom. He and 20 other students listen as Arthur Taylor begins to lecture on statics - in essence, how to build structures so they won't collapse.
"This is a subject that gives engineers nightmares," Taylor says.
Heinicke jots down occasional notes, but doesn't ask questions or mingle with students.
After class, he walks to his car and drives home, like he's just another of the 25,000 millennials on campus.
He is anything but.
Heinicke is the most decorated player in ODU's recent football history. The senior quarterback has passed for more yards (11,483) than any college quarterback ever in Virginia. He is on pace to finish among college football's top five passers all-time, regardless of division.
With boyish good looks and a charming personality, he has all the makings of the proverbial big man on campus.
Instead, he's a simple guy, preferring to play video games and hang out at home. When he wins awards, he gives credit to teammates, coaches and family.
Call him ODU's reluctant superstar. And for that, Heinicke has his late father, Brett Heinicke, to thank.
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