Solomon Byrd Explained

Solomon Byrd
Currentteam:Houston Texans
Number:50
Position:Defensive end
Birth Date:1 December 1999
Birth Place:Palmdale, California, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:250
High School:Knight (Palmdale, California)
College:Wyoming (2018–2021)
USC (2022–2023)
Draftyear:2024
Draftround:7
Draftpick:238
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Pfr:ByrdSo00

Solomon Byrd (born December 1, 1999) is an American professional football defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wyoming Cowboys and the USC Trojans and was selected by the Texans in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life and high school

Byrd was born in Palmdale, California where he attended Knight High School. In Byrd's high school career, he totaled 155 tackles with 20.5 going for a loss, 16 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and six forced fumbles.[1] Byrd would decide to commit to play college football at the University of Wyoming.[2]

College career

Wyoming

In Byrd's first season with Wyoming in 2018, he had five tackles[3] In week three of the 2019 season, Byrd had a clutch sack to force a punt with three minutes left in the game, as he helped Wyoming beat Idaho 21-16.[4] In the following week, Byrd had a breakout game notching 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a pass deflection, in a win over Tulsa.[5] Byrd finished the 2019 season with 45 tackles with 9.5 being for a loss, 6.5 sacks, a pass deflection, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble.[6] For his performance on the 2019 season, Byrd was named a FWAA Freshman All-American.[7] [8] Byrd would decide to opt out of the 2020 season due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.[9] [10] In the 2021 season, Byrd finished the season with 37 tackles with 3.5 being for a loss, and 3.5 sacks.[11] After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Byrd announced his descison to enter the NCAA transfer portal.[12] [13]

USC

Byrd would innitally decide to transfer to Georgia Tech but would later change his commitment to USC.[14] [15] In week two Byrd had two sacks, in a win over Stanford.[16] In week three, Byrd made his first career start where he made four tackles with two being for a loss, and a sack where he forced a fumble, and recovered it, as he helped USC beat Fresno State.[17] Byrd finished the 2022 season with 28 tackles with 7.5 being for a loss, four sacks, a pass deflection, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.[18]

Professional career

Byrd was selected by the Houston Texans in the seventh round (238th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.[19]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Solomon Byrd Football Stats . MaxPreps.com . 26 September 2023.
  2. Web site: Foster . Brandon . Wyoming defensive end commit Solomon Byrd makes history for his high school . Casper Star-Tribune . 7 December 2017 . 26 September 2023.
  3. Web site: Solomon Byrd 2018 Game Log . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . 26 September 2023.
  4. Web site: Johnke . Jeremiah . Byrd came up big for UW with late sack against Idaho . Wyoming Tribune Eagle . 18 September 2019 . 26 September 2023.
  5. Web site: Pottercasper . Davis . DE Solomon Byrd disruptive 'factor' for Wyoming's defense . AP News . 3 October 2019 . 26 September 2023.
  6. Web site: Solomon Byrd 2019 Game Log . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . 26 September 2023.
  7. Web site: Potter . Davis . 2020-01-13 . Wyoming DE Solomon Byrd named FWAA Freshman All-American . 2024-05-27 . Casper Star-Tribune . en.
  8. Web site: Katz . Michael . Wyoming's Byrd named freshman All-American . Wyoming Tribune Eagle . 13 January 2020 . 26 September 2023.
  9. Web site: Potter . Davis . Wyoming's opt-outs gradually getting reacclimated this spring . Reading Eagle . 22 April 2021 . 26 September 2023.
  10. Web site: Potter . Davis . Three projected defensive starters among Wyoming players to opt out of season . Casper Star-Tribune . 30 September 2020 . 26 September 2023.
  11. News: Sugiura . Ken . May 3, 2022 . In transferring, Solomon Byrd finds Georgia Tech 'the best situation' . 26 September 2023 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  12. Web site: Thorburn . Ryan . Wyoming Cowboys defensive end Solomon Byrd seeking transfer . Casper Star-Tribune . 19 March 2022 . 26 September 2023.
  13. Web site: Tucker . Cody . WYOMING'S SOLOMON BYRD ENTERING NCAA TRANSFER PORTAL . 7220 Sports . 19 March 2022 . 26 September 2023.
  14. Caudell . Jackson . 10 May 2022 . Transfer Solomon Byrd flips his Commitment From Georgia Tech . 27 September 2023 . Sports Illustrated.
  15. News: Sugiura . Ken . May 10, 2022 . Defensive end Solomon Byrd changes transfer commitment from Georgia Tech to USC . 27 September 2023 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  16. Web site: Kartje . Ryan . Solomon Byrd, a surprise USC defensive playmaker, waited years for his chance to shine . Los Angeles-Times . 22 September 2022 . 27 September 2023.
  17. Web site: Grosbard . Adam . USC's Solomon Byrd practices what coach Lincoln Riley preaches . The Orange County Register . 18 September 2022 . 27 September 2023.
  18. Web site: Solomon Byrd 2022 Game Log . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . 27 September 2023.
  19. Web site: Dougherty . Drew . April 27, 2024 . Texans add DE Solomon Byrd out of USC in Round 7 of the 2024 NFL Draft . 2024-05-26 . Houston Texans.