51 Facts About Kevin Byard

Kevin Leon Byard III was born on August 17,1993 and is an American professional football safety for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.

Kevin Byard played college football for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

Kevin Byard was born on August 17,1993, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Kevin Byard played for the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State University from 2012 to 2015.

Kevin Byard earned Honorable Mention All-Conference USA honors in 2013.

Kevin Byard was named First-team All-Conference USA in 2014 and 2015.

Kevin Byard graduated from Middle Tennessee in May 2015 with a degree in liberal studies.

On November 22,2015, Kevin Byard announced on Twitter that he had accepted his invitation to play in the 2016 Senior Bowl.

Kevin Byard met with representatives from the Atlanta Falcons during the week.

Kevin Byard was not one of the 60 defensive backs invited to the NFL combine.

On March 31,2016, Kevin Byard participated at Middle Tennessee's pro day, along with 18 other teammates, and was the top prospect participating with representatives and scouts from 24 NFL teams attending.

Kevin Byard met with representatives from the Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, and Tennessee Titans during his pro day.

Kevin Byard had official private visits or workouts with 12 NFL teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Titans, and Los Angeles Rams.

Kevin Byard was ranked the fifth best strong safety prospect in the draft by DraftScout.

Kevin Byard was the 24th player ever drafted from Middle Tennessee State and the highest player drafted from there since Tyrone Calico in 2003, who was drafted by the Titans.

Kevin Byard was the fifth safety selected in the 2016 NFL draft.

Kevin Byard's playing time increased after Rashad Johnson suffered a neck injury and was inactive for two games.

Kevin Byard remained the Titans' starting free safety for the last seven games of the season.

Kevin Byard finished his rookie season during the 2016 NFL season with a total of 58 combined tackles, one sack, and four pass deflections in 16 games and seven starts.

Kevin Byard finished second on the squad with 10 special teams tackles.

Kevin Byard received an overall grade of 62.5 from Pro Football Focus as a rookie in 2016.

Kevin Byard entered training camp slated as the de facto free safety after they opted not to re-sign Rashad Johnson.

Kevin Byard became the fifth player in NFL history to record five interceptions in a two-game span joining DeAngelo Hall, Albert Lewis, Willie Buchanon, and Mike Haynes.

Kevin Byard received a grade of 89.9 from Pro Football Focus which was the third highest grade among safeties through the first twelve games, only behind Harrison Smith and Adrian Amos.

Kevin Byard's performance earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Kevin Byard started all 16 games during the 2017 NFL season and finished with a total of 87 combined tackles, 16 pass deflections, and led the entire league with eight interceptions and was named first-team All-Pro.

On January 21,2018, Kevin Byard earned his first career Pro Bowl selection to appear in the 2018 Pro Bowl as an injury replacement after Bills' safety Micah Hyde bowed out due to a concussion.

Kevin Byard was ranked 80th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.

Kevin Byard started all 16 games for the second consecutive season in 2018 and had a total of 90 combined tackles, a career-high two sacks, eight pass deflections, and four interceptions.

Kevin Byard entered training camp slated as the de facto starting free safety.

Kevin Byard started all 16 games for the third consecutive season and finished with 84 combined tackles, five interceptions, and nine passes defended.

Kevin Byard finished with an overall grade of 79.4 from Pro Football Focus in 2019.

Kevin Byard returned as the starting free safety and remained alongside strong safety Kenny Vaccaro.

Kevin Byard started all 16 games in the 2020 NFL season and finished with 111 combined tackles, one interceptions, seven passes defended, and one forced fumble.

Kevin Byard started all 17 games during the 2021 NFL season and had a total of 88 combined tackles, 13 passes defended, five interceptions, two forced fumbles, one sack, and a career-high two touchdowns.

Kevin Byard was named to his second Pro Bowl and earned first team All-Pro honors.

Kevin Byard was ranked 34th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.

Kevin Byard set a career-high with an overall grade of 90.6 from Pro Football Focus in 2021.

Kevin Byard entered training camp slated as the de facto starting free safety alongside Amani Hooker.

Kevin Byard started all 17 games during the 2022 NFL season and finished with 108 combined tackles, four interceptions, and six passes defended.

Kevin Byard received an overall grade of 79.5 from Pro Football Focus in 2022.

Kevin Byard entered training camp slated as the de facto starting free safety.

In six starts with the Tennessee Titans during the 2023 NFL season, Kevin Byard had a total of 47 combined tackles and one fumble recovery.

Kevin Byard finished the entire 2023 NFL season with a combined total of 122 combined tackles, three passes defended, one interception, and a fumble recovery.

Kevin Byard started in all 16 games and was not able to play in 17 regular season games due to his trade occurring between bye weeks for both teams.

Across his ten games with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kevin Byard had 75 combined tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception.

Kevin Byard received an overall grade of 74.0 from Pro Football Focus in 2023.

On March 1,2024, the Philadelphia Eagles officially released Kevin Byard, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Kevin Byard entered training camp projected to be a starter under defensive coordinator Eric Washington, following the departure of long-time starting free safety Eddie Jackson.

Kevin Byard started in all 17 games during the 2024 NFL season and set a career-high with 130 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, a career-high two sacks, made two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and one interception.

Kevin Byard performed well in his first season with the Chicago Bears, receiving an overall grade of 72.8 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 32nd among 121 qualifying safeties in 2024.