Kevin Byard (2025) - Hall of Fame - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Kevin Byard

Induction:
2025
Class:
2015

Honors: 2024 – Named to the CUSA Hall of Fame ... 2015 – Named a permanent team captain ... Invited to the 2016 Senior Bowl … Named First Team All-CUSA … Voted Preseason First Team All-CUSA … Named to Jim Thorpe Award Watch List … Named to the Senior Bowl Watch List … Earned the “Grinder Award” for safeties following spring drills … 2014 – Named First Team All-CUSA … Voted the CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 29 … Named the TSWA Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 30 … Named Preseason First Team All-CUSA … Named to Jim Thorpe Watch List … 2013 – Voted Honorable Mention All-CUSA … Named to Jim Thorpe Watch List … Named the TSWA Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 12 and Nov. 25 … 2012 – Named FWAA Freshman All-American … Voted Second Team All-SBC … Named First Team All-SBC by CollegeSportsMadness.com … Named the SBC Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 26 … Voted the College Performance Awards National Defensive Back of the Week on Nov. 25 … Earned Named the Most Improved Safety at the conclusion of spring drills.

Career Record Book

Ranks 1st in Interceptions (19)
Ranks 1^st in Interception Return Yards (377)
Ranks 1^st in Interception Return Touchdowns (4)
Ranks 6^th in total tackles (312)

Key Stats

In 49 career games played he forced or gained 25 turnovers (19 INTs, 5 FF, 1 FR)
6 Interceptions in 2014 ties for 4^th most in a single-season
Of the top 13 longest interception returns in school history, Byard is the only player listed twice (77 and 68 yards)

Noteworthy

A true role model during his time at MTSU as he always did community service work, was great with the media and always handled himself like a professional
Always the last one off the practice field
Played in two bowl games and never was part of a losing season at MTSU