Kevin Byard

For players from lower levels like Conference USA to earn early-round consideration, they had better dominate and that's precisely what Byard accomplished the past four years for the Blue Raiders, starting 49 of 51 games and tying Boise State's Darian Thompson (a projected top 50 pick) with 19 career interceptions, scoring on four of them. A four-time all-conference choice (including back to back first team honors), Byard has consistently stood out, easing concerns about his ability to make the jump to the NFL. He's built like a traditional strong safety but is a fluid athlete with excellent awareness to read the eyes of quarterbacks and set up his blocks on returns, recording 377 yards off interceptions returns alone over his career. If he can ease concerns about his straight-line speed, Byard could be the highest drafted Blue Raiders prospect since receiver Tyrone Calico was taken 60th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft.

byard's knack for creating big plays has earned him attention throughout his career but there are holes in his game, including a lack of ideal physicality and playing speed. against the elite competition he'll face in the nfl, the former two-star recruit will once again have to buck the odds.

--Rob Rang (@robrang) (2/11/16)

strength

Possesses an imposing frame with a compact, well-put together musculature. Route recognition from time spent in the weight room and his high school days at wide receiver show up on tape, as he locates the football well and is rarely fooled in coverage. Does an excellent job reading the eyes of the quarterback and gaining proper position with aggressiveness and timing at the catch point, showing strong hands and hand-eye coordination to pluck the ball.

displays smooth hip action on game film to flip and change directions quickly, accelerating smoothly. has a knack for creating turnovers, forcing five fumbles (and recovering another) to go along with his interceptions. a generally reliable open-field tackler who wraps his arms securely. looks comfortable with the ball in his hands, showing vision to set up returns. didn't look out of place against the top athletes at the senior bowl.

WEAKNESSES

shorter than ideal and isn't the tone-setter that his frame would indicate, resorting more often to lassoing ballcarriers rather than delivering explosive hits. changes directions fluidly but tops out quickly and may struggle matching up against nfl receivers, showing less-than-ideal straight-line speed to cover the deep ball.

IN OUR VIEW

Voted first team all-state for Class AAAAA by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and the Associated Press

Also earned all-region honors on offense and defense, while also garnering all-area and all-county accolades

A two-star recruit by ESPN who was a two-way standout for M.L. King

As a senior, he collected 94 tackles, two interceptions, two blocked punts, and two fumble recoveries, while adding 35 receptions for 723 yards and six touchdowns on offense to go with 245 rushing yards and two scores

Also returned 12 kickoffs for 350 yards and a touchdown

Played in the 2010 Georgia North vs South All-Star Game

Lettered in football and track

Played for Coach Michael Carson.

Kevin Leon Byard

Parents: Kevin Byard Sr. and Artina Stanley

Born: 8/17/93

Major: Health Education (earned degree in Spring 2015).

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	12.5	50.0	4.0