CHESAPEAKE, Va (WAVY) — The first time Indian River freshman quarterback Lord Malik Heru popped up on my radar, he was bench-pressing 225 pounds for 10 reps as an eighth-grader.

It was an eye-popping moment, and how could it not be? A 14-year-old (at the time) with that size and strength, talking about how he’s ready to step into the QB1 role for the Indian River varsity football team.

That’s big-time talk, especially when you talk about leading a Braves squad who went to the Class 5 state semifinals in 2023, and was one play away from the region championships in 2024.

For all intents and purposes, Heru has come into this season on fire, and has quickly proven he’s already one of the best quarterbacks in the 757.

“I don’t have expectations,” Heru said. “I’m just ready to go win,” said the 15-year-old Heru.

Although Heru has already put up monster numbers this season, like his debut game against Granby, in which he put up five total touchdowns and didn’t miss a single pass. It felt like his performance against Nansemond River last Friday night was a signature performance that has put him on everyone’s radar.

In the Braves 31-25 overtime win, Heru threw for 241 yards, and five touchdowns. Simply put, he was dominant, and put some balls out there that just don’t look normal for a freshman.

“If the play breaks down, I can extend a play, I can stay in the pocket and throw a good ball, I can run. I can do anything … I’m one of a kind,” Heru said. “I would say I don’t have a comparison, I’m me.”

The Braves are now 5-1 and ride a three-game winning streak heading into the last stretch of the 2025 season. They’re emerging as legit threats in Class 5 behind their star freshman, but head coach Brandon Carr isn’t surprised by his young quarterback’s play.

“I think he’s doing what he’s prepared for,” Carr said. “… He’s only going to get better from week to week. I think his body of work has let everybody know, ‘Hey, I’m here.'”

During the Nansemond River game, Heru lost a fumble and threw an interception. After the pick, he led his team right back down the field to score a crucial third-quarter touchdown and tie the game.

“That’s what I love about him,” Carr said. “He’s got a next play mentality. He understands you can’t get it back — let’s just move on and let’s do what we can do to help the team move forward.”

Since Heru burst onto the scene, the media has swarmed him and colleges are already starting to flock. With offers from Hampton, Howard and North Carolina Central, and interest from schools like North Carolina and Michigan, this is what Heru envisioned from the beginning.

“I always dreamed about cameras being out, and just doing big things for your team,” Heru said.

Said Carr: “I think he’s handling it very well. He’s staying in tune to his work. … With success, this is part of the process.”

The Braves still have a shot at a co-share of the Southeastern District championship. Oscar Smith would have to slip and Indian River would have to run the table, but Heru has lofty expectations past a district title.

There is no learning curve for Heru. The expectation for this 15-year-old star is right. now.

“I was just expecting to lead my team to W’s every week and try to go to states and just win it all,” Heru said.