Poised to make an impact on the offensive unit as a sophomore after acclimating to collegiate level with special teams assignments as a rookie ... Listed on preseason depth chart as a top reserve behind returning starter Kevin Gidrey ... Remains a highly-touted prospect who has benefitted from initial two year in strength and conditioning program, adding nearly 25 pounds to signing day weight ... Suffered injuries in both spring practice periods (hip in 2008, concussion in 2009) which perhaps slowed additional development ... Bounced back to play in the '09 Purple-Gold Game and recorded one catch for a yard ... Cited by position coach Phil Petty as unit's "most improved" player at the conclusion of drills. 2008: A tight end who experienced his first collegiate action as a member of the special teams unit during redshirt freshman campaign ... Played in the last six consecutive games - Marshall, Southern Miss, UAB, UTEP, Tulsa and against Kentucky in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl ... Did not record any receiving statistics and was not credited with any tackles in initial active year. 2007: Redshirted during initial season in ECU program ... Officially signed with Skip Holtz' program in February, 2007. High School: A 2006 Shrine Bowl Game invitee ... A four-year letterman and team captain for a program which reeled off three consecutive state championships (2004, 2005 and 2006) and posted a combined 45-3 record ... Used primarily as a key blocker in the Bulldogs' "I" offensive scheme that produced one of the top rushing performances in the state but still made 23 catches for 204 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ... Helped THS to its second-straight 16-0 slate as a senior, capping his career with a 13-7 victory over James Kenan in the 1-AA State Championship Game at Chapel Hill ... In all, closed prep career with a 37-game winning streak (16-0 as a junior, 13-3 as a sophomore) ... Part of a Bulldogs' offense that outscored its opponents 632-82 (39.5 ppg to 5.1 ppg) ... Recorded 11 receptions for 136 yards and a trio of scores as a junior after grabbing six balls for 45 yards and a score as a sophomore in 2004 ... Earned All-Yadkin Valley Conference honors ... Coach was Benjie Brown ... Earned additional varsity letters in basketball (two) and track (one) ... Timed at 4.8 in the 40-yard dash while vertical ability was measured at 29.0" ... Member of the "A&B" Honor Roll and recipient of the school's "Perfect Attendance, Top Dog, Character Education, Computer Application and History" Awards. Personal: Full name is Michael Austin Byrd ... Born December 27, 1988 at Thomasville, N.C. ... Son of Janice Tate and Richard Diggs ... A child development & family relations major. |
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