University of Richmond Athletics
Byrd Claims First Team Preseason All-America Honors from FCS Football Central
07/23/2026 | Football
Byrd, who was also named a Stats Perform FCS Second Team Preseason All-American and selected to the Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List, enters the 2026 season having appeared in 38 career games for the Spiders.
A 2025 Second Team All-Patriot League selection, Byrd started all 12 games last season and recorded 34 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss totaling 83 yards. He finished second on the team with 8.5 sacks for 66 yards, averaging 0.71 sacks per game to rank fourth in the Patriot League and 24th nationally.
Byrd also ranked second in the Patriot League and 15th nationally with three forced fumbles while adding six quarterback hurries and one pass breakup.
A cornerstone of Richmond's defense, Byrd helped the Spiders lead the Patriot League and rank fourth nationally in passing defense, allowing just 155.3 yards per game. Richmond also finished second in the conference in scoring defense at 22.7 points per game and ranked sixth nationally and second in the Patriot League in total defense, allowing 290.3 yards per game. The Spiders finished third in the Patriot League in tackles for loss at 6.1 per game and tied for third in the conference with 11 interceptions.
