A record-setting season at the U.S. Naval Academy has propelled Mt. Lebanon graduate Eli Heidenreich into the national spotlight — but for his parents, the success has been years in the making.

Heidenreich, 22, helped lead the Navy Midshipmen to 11 wins this past season, the program’s highest total since 2014. The versatile offensive player emerged as one of the team’s top playmakers while rewriting parts of Navy’s record book.

But Tara and David Heidenreich say their son’s rise from high school standout to college star was built on years of work long before the highlights and statistics.

“People see the numbers now — the wins, the yards, the highlights,” Tara Heidenreich said. “But it’s the years when nobody was watching and how hard Eli worked then. That’s what we’re most proud of.”

One of the most meaningful moments for the family came during Heidenreich’s senior year at Mt. Lebanon High School, when he helped lead the Blue Devils to a state championship in 2021 alongside his younger brother, Ezra, and many longtime teammates.

“When the 2021 Mt. Lebanon team won the state championship, that was an amazing ride,” David Heidenreich said. “Through his contributions that year, Eli showed he might be a diamond in the rough.”

Heidenreich was not heavily recruited coming out of high school, and his progress at Navy came gradually.

“I think he played with a chip on his shoulder when he arrived,” his father said. “He worked for more than two years to prove himself and earn a starting role.”

His perseverance paid off this past season.

During December’s Army-Navy game, Heidenreich became one of Navy’s top targets, catching six of the team’s seven completed passes. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, he caught a game-winning touchdown pass from the 8-yard line, helping secure the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the second straight year.

“I’ll never forget the end of that game and the roar of the crowd,” Tara Heidenreich said. “His persistence and all the preparation with his coaches and teammates came alive in that moment.”

The victory helped Navy secure back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in program history.

Heidenreich also delivered one of the most productive seasons in Navy football history. He became just the second Football Bowl Subdivision player since 1956 to rush for more than 475 yards while also recording more than 925 receiving yards in the same season.

By the end of the year, he had set a single-season school record with 941 receiving yards and finished his career with 1,994 receiving yards — the most in Navy history. His 109 career receptions rank second all-time for the program.

For his parents, those numbers reflect years of dedication behind the scenes.

“I think about him getting up early for drills with his Navy teammate and best friend, Alex Tecza, or staying late practicing routes with his high school quarterback,” David Heidenreich said. “Most of all, I remember telling him before every game since high school: ‘Do what you do.’ That’s exactly what he’s done.”

Heidenreich’s breakout season has also opened doors at the professional level.

In January, he participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl, the nation’s longest-running college football all-star game, becoming the first non-quarterback Navy player invited since 2012. He served as a captain for the East team.

Soon after, he received an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, held Feb. 26 through March 1. At the event, the 6-foot, 198-pound running back recorded a 4.44-second 40-yard dash — among the 10 fastest times for running backs — along with a 35.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot broad jump.

Following the combine, some analysts began projecting Heidenreich as a potential third-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.

For his parents, the opportunity represents a full-circle moment.

“From a kid who was barely recruited out of high school to having the chance to showcase his skills for the NFL — it’s everything he’s worked for,” Tara Heidenreich said.

Despite the growing attention, they say their son remains focused on the same mindset that fueled his rise.

“He lives by the idea of not letting potential go unrealized,” David Heidenreich said. “He approaches every opportunity the right way and gives his full effort.”

Whether that path ultimately leads to the NFL or to military service, his parents say the values he has developed along the way matter most.

“I hope people see his story as more than just a football career,” Tara Heidenreich said. “It’s about striving for greatness and making the most of every opportunity — whether that’s on the field or serving his country.”