Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications
Byard named to Thorpe Award watch list
7/13/2015 4:49:00 PM | Football
Defensive back among nation's best
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee defensive standout Kevin Byard has been named to the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is annually given to the nation's top defensive back by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
Byard was one of our C-USA players named to the preseason watch list, joining FIU's Richard Leonard, and Louisiana Tech's Adairius Barnes and Xavier Woods.
Byard totaled 66 tackles and led Middle Tennessee and C-USA in interceptions with six in 2015. The corner also had four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick. Byard ranks third among the NCAA's active players in interceptions per game at 0.41. He is tied for second in total interceptions with 15, which is three shy of breaking the Middle Tennessee career record.
The Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
The Jim Thorpe Award watch list is chosen by a screening committee who compile a list of 30-to-50 players. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015 on ESPN.
The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 in Oklahoma City, OK.
Byard was one of our C-USA players named to the preseason watch list, joining FIU's Richard Leonard, and Louisiana Tech's Adairius Barnes and Xavier Woods.
Byard totaled 66 tackles and led Middle Tennessee and C-USA in interceptions with six in 2015. The corner also had four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick. Byard ranks third among the NCAA's active players in interceptions per game at 0.41. He is tied for second in total interceptions with 15, which is three shy of breaking the Middle Tennessee career record.
The Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
The Jim Thorpe Award watch list is chosen by a screening committee who compile a list of 30-to-50 players. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015 on ESPN.
The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 in Oklahoma City, OK.
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