Dennis Byrd

Football, 1984-88

Class of 2004

Was a four-year starter on the defensive line, Dennis Byrd completed his career ranked among the top-10 in school history for tackles with 321 total stops … was credited with 24 tackles for –52 yards, and 20 quarterback sacks for –147 yards in his career … tallied 108 tackles and 11 sacks for -60 yards as a senior, and also was credited with 35 hurries … was twice named the Independence Bowl Association Football Association Defensive Player of the Week … was named to the Football News honorable mention All-America team … his best statistical game as a senior came against Kansas State, when he tallied 20 tackles, eight solos and two sacks for -17 yards … went on to play pro football with the New York Jets before suffering a career-ending neck injury (C-5 vertebrae fracture).