Rashad Byrd
Linebacker / Georgia Southern
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Rashad Byrd: I am 6’0, 240 pounds and I run between a 4.6-4.7.
Alex Khvatov: How did you prepare for the 2020 season with no offseason training?
Rashad Byrd: It was a great way to show my leadership off the field. I stayed at school and trained with a few of my teammates. We want to make sure that we accomplish something special this year. We ran outside because the training facilities were closed. We would go to the recreation center on campus.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?
Rashad Byrd: I played baseball and basketball. Baseball was my main sport. I hurt my shoulder during my senior year. I was a pitcher and a centerfield. The plan was to go to the MLB draft out of high school. I was projected to go in the 8th through the 10th round as an outfielder.
Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
Rashad Byrd: I played QB, RB, TE, WR, MLB and OLB.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Rashad Byrd: I had App State, East Carolina, Duke and Georgia Southern.
Alex Khvatov: How did you wind up at Georgia Southern?
Rashad Byrd: I played at a Shrine Bowl all-star game. It is for the best kids in South Carolina and North Carolina. We had Shai Werts and some other players that decided to attend Georgia Southern. It felt like home. We felt that we can do something special there.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your overall career.
Rashad Byrd: I was 205 pounds when I first came in. I was an OLB. We had two or three other seniors in front of me. It was a great time to learn from my teammates. I gained 30 pounds my freshman year. I switched to inside LB. The first year was rough. We came off the bowl game the year before I got there. Next year, it wasn’t a good season as well. Guys wanted to leave and transfer. A new coach took over. Chad Lunsford changed the culture. We got that edge back. We finished my redshirt sophomore year with a 10-3 season. We faced adversity this past year and finished 7-6. I have been a starting MLB the past two years. I was named first team All-Sun Belt by Phil Steele my junior year. I was also a captain this past season.
Alex Khvatov: What can we expect from your team this upcoming season?
Rashad Byrd: We need to finish games this year. We beat App State two years in a row. They were ranked both times. If we can play like that every game, we can beat anyone. Learn from the past, finish and don’t let teams breathe.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Rashad Byrd: I bring football IQ and diagnose plays quickly. I also bring leadership. I motivate my guys. I do it in a positive way and encourage guys. I motivate guys when times get tough.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Rashad Byrd: Get better in man coverage and improve technique wise. My technique gets worse when I get tired during the game.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Rashad Byrd: The first time we beat App at home in 2018. We got into a scuffle pre-game. It was raining that day. It was the first time they were ranked, and we beat them pretty bad. We beat them 35-14. Those are the memories that I will take with me. The fans stormed the field. It was the first time we beat them after such a long time.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?
Rashad Byrd: My position coach told me that the program will go on without me and without him. Life will go on with or without you. Try to put in as much as you can while you are here.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Rashad Byrd: I am a Patriots fan. When I played video games on Xbox, I always used the Patriots. I like how they develop players and make them better.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Rashad Byrd: I like watching Darius Leonard. He is undersized like me. He is from South Carolina like me. He went to a smaller school. He showed that you can achieve anything if you believe in yourself. It doesn’t matter what school you are from.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?
Rashad Byrd: DE Raymond Johnson, safety Kenderick Duncan, OLB Randy Wade, and RB Wesley Kennedy.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Rashad Byrd: Joe Burrow. How calm and poised he is. He doesn’t make many mistakes. We played them last year. It was our first game. I came to the sidelines and I told my coach that they will win the national championship. There was a difference playing LSU last year and Clemson the year before when we played them. The LSU new offensive scheme, and Joe Burrow made their offense special. It was crazy. There was a difference between them and Clemson.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a LB?
Rashad Byrd: Leadership. LB is the leader of the defense. He calls all of the plays. You have to know your job. You need to have an understanding of what is going on once you take on that role.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Rashad Byrd: The guys in the locker room. I will miss all of my guys when I move on. The bond that we have formed. We have the same goal.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Rashad Byrd: I like to go fishing. I have a dog. I like to play with her. Football takes majority of my time.
Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?
Rashad Byrd: I am someone who doesn’t like to lose in any sport. I want to win. Losing doesn’t sit well with me. I will always give it my hardest. I never give up.
Alex Khvatov: How important is education to you?
Rashad Byrd: It is huge. My parents instilled in me that you have to take care of your business in the classroom, and then take care of things on the football field. Ball will end one day, and you have to prepare for your future. You need to have a backup plan. I am excited to start pursuing my master’s in two or three weeks. Education always goes along way. I received my bachelor’s in public health and a minor in marketing. I will be getting my master’s in sports management.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Rashad Byrd: I want to get into medical sales.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Rashad Byrd: Relentless, leader, compassionate, determined, and honest.
