MTSU safety Kevin Byard drafted by Tennessee Titans

Photo by Gregory French//Staff Photographer 

Middle Tennessee State University safety Kevin Byard won’t have to move very far to his new National Football League home with the Tennessee Titans .

After arriving on the Middle Tennessee State University campus back in 2011 and putting in thousands of hours on the field and in the weight room, Byard’s NFL dreams became a reality.

With the No. 64 overall pick in the third round of the NFL Draft, the Titans selected Byard to fill one of their needs in the secondary.

“He’s a really productive football player,” Titans GM Jon Robinson told reporters following the selection. “He’s a great guy. He embodies all the traits we’re looking for.”

Robinson and Titans personnel were one of five NFL teams that worked out Byard on campus prior to the NFL Draft.

Byard being selected 64th overall by the Titans makes the Lithonia, Georgia, product the highest-drafted defensive player in Blue Raider history, and first since former MTSU defensive lineman Jimmy Staten in 2014.

Byard came close to becoming the highest-drafted player on either side of the ball for MTSU, trailing only former Blue Raider wide receiver Tyrone Calico (second round; No. 60 overall), who was also selected by the Titans.

For the former MTSU safety, Byard’s journey came full circle as he watched his name flash across the television screen.

He finished his Blue Raider career with 19 interceptions, the most in MTSU history. Byard also closed out his collegiate career with 312 career tackles, sixth most in program history.

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