Following an outstanding high school career, Byrd signed with Florida International University but opted to play at PRCC instead.

“My (high school) coach knew I wanted to go somewhere that threw the football and he suggested Dodge City (Kansas) and Pearl River,” said Byrd. “Dodge City was too far for me, so he called coach (Tim) Hatten and the rest is history.”

And what a history it was.      

In two years as a Wildcat, Byrd caught 87 passes for 1,433 yards and 12 touchdowns as the Wildcats won back-to-back MACJC Championships. After leading the team to two state titles and a first-team All-American selection, he was rated the No. 8 JuCo wide receiver in the country in 2006.

“We ran the greatest offense I ever played on,” said Byrd. “We had Jimmy Oliver my freshman year. He could throw it now.”

It wasn’t all a bed of roses for Byrd when he first arrived at PRCC.

“Pearl River was a big step for me but it was also a culture shock,” he said. “I am used to a fast-paced life and when I found my way to Poplarville… Well, I called my mom and told her ‘I am ready to come home. I can’t do this.’ She encouraged me to stay. In the end, I really loved it there. My teammates were like brothers to me.”

After his LSU career, Byrd was injured in a serious car accident just before the NFL draft. The Charges took him with the 224th overall selection but released him in 2010.

Byrd, 29, graduated from LSU with a general studies degree and three minors — communications, social work and sports studies.