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 1st in Interception Return Yards (377)
Ranks 1st in Interception Return Touchdowns (4)
Ranks 6th 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 4th 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
