Solomon Byrd
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Solomon Byrd
| image = Solomon Byrd (8184707) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Byrd at the 2023 Holiday Bowl
| currentteam = Houston Texans
| number = 50
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|12|1}}
| birth_place = Palmdale, California, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lb = 255
| high_school = Knight (Palmdale, California)
| college = Wyoming (2018–2021)
USC (2022–2023)
| draftyear = 2024
| draftround = 7
| draftpick = 238
| pastteams = * Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| pfr = ByrdSo00
| statweek = 18
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 2
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 1
}}
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.{{cite web |title=Solomon Byrd Football Stats |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/palmdale/knight-hawks/athletes/solomon-byrd/football/stats/?careerid=mv3s95b12qoue |website=MaxPreps.com |access-date=26 September 2023}} Byrd would decide to commit to play college football at the University of Wyoming.{{cite web |last1=Foster |first1=Brandon |title=Wyoming defensive end commit Solomon Byrd makes history for his high school |url=https://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/football/wyoming-defensive-end-commit-solomon-byrd-makes-history-for-his-high-school/article_d1de57e7-0fa7-5f64-98e3-48d6aa1fec5a.html |website=Casper Star-Tribune |date=7 December 2017 |access-date=26 September 2023}}
College career
= Wyoming =
In Byrd's first season with Wyoming in 2018, he had five tackles{{cite web |title=Solomon Byrd 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/solomon-byrd-1/gamelog/2018/ |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |access-date=26 September 2023}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Johnke |first1=Jeremiah |title=Byrd came up big for UW with late sack against Idaho |url=https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/university_of_wyoming/football/byrd-came-up-big-for-uw-with-late-sack-against-idaho/article_4d181c87-5544-5b32-a1e9-021e560a1e97.html |website=Wyoming Tribune Eagle |date=18 September 2019 |access-date=26 September 2023}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Pottercasper |first1=Davis |title=DE Solomon Byrd disruptive 'factor' for Wyoming's defense |url=https://apnews.com/article/38ca33add85d461986460ba324f6d42f |website=AP News |date=3 October 2019 |access-date=26 September 2023}} 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.{{cite web |title=Solomon Byrd 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/solomon-byrd-1/gamelog/2019/ |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |access-date=26 September 2023}} For his performance on the 2019 season, Byrd was named a FWAA Freshman All-American.{{Cite web |last=Potter |first=Davis |date=2020-01-13 |title=Wyoming DE Solomon Byrd named FWAA Freshman All-American |url=https://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/football/wyoming-de-solomon-byrd-named-fwaa-freshman-all-american/article_b467ef7c-dc26-54f0-bd50-a0a3ba470da8.html |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Casper Star-Tribune |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Katz |first1=Michael |title=Wyoming's Byrd named freshman All-American |url=https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/university_of_wyoming/wyomings-byrd-named-freshman-all-american/article_91585639-7545-52b8-a5e5-976078804d80.html |website=Wyoming Tribune Eagle |date=13 January 2020 |access-date=26 September 2023}} Byrd would decide to opt out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.{{cite web |last1=Potter |first1=Davis |title=Wyoming's opt-outs gradually getting reacclimated this spring |url=https://www.readingeagle.com/2021/04/22/wyomings-opt-outs-gradually-getting-reacclimated-this-spring/ |website=Reading Eagle |date=22 April 2021 |access-date=26 September 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Potter |first1=Davis |title=Three projected defensive starters among Wyoming players to opt out of season |url=https://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/football/three-projected-defensive-starters-among-wyoming-players-to-opt-out-of-season/article_ca450994-e1b2-5d2f-8ef7-0d8f504fac6c.html |website=Casper Star-Tribune |date=30 September 2020 |access-date=26 September 2023}} In the 2021 season, Byrd finished the season with 37 tackles with 3.5 being for a loss, and 3.5 sacks.{{Cite news |last=Sugiura |first=Ken |date=May 3, 2022 |title=In transferring, Solomon Byrd finds Georgia Tech 'the best situation' |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/in-transferring-solomon-byrd-finds-georgia-tech-the-best-situation/6YVPOGI3FVFBTHDMLZ6MGK5N4I/ |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}} After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Byrd announced his descison to enter the NCAA transfer portal.{{cite web |last1=Thorburn |first1=Ryan |title=Wyoming Cowboys defensive end Solomon Byrd seeking transfer |url=https://trib.com/sports/wyoming-cowboys-defensive-end-solomon-byrd-seeking-transfer/article_478b1c77-ddda-5811-8f0c-3c0db881a2aa.html |website=Casper Star-Tribune |date=19 March 2022 |access-date=26 September 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Tucker |first1=Cody |title=WYOMING'S SOLOMON BYRD ENTERING NCAA TRANSFER PORTAL |url=https://7220sports.com/wyomings-solomon-byrd-entering-ncaa-transfer-portal/ |website=7220 Sports |date=19 March 2022 |access-date=26 September 2023}}
= USC =
Byrd would initially decide to transfer to Georgia Tech but would later change his commitment to USC.{{Cite magazine |last=Caudell |first=Jackson |date=10 May 2022 |title=Transfer Solomon Byrd flips his Commitment From Georgia Tech |url=https://www.si.com/college/georgiatech/football/transfer-solomon-byrd-flips-his-commitment-from-georgia-tech-tech |access-date=27 September 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}{{Cite news |last=Sugiura |first=Ken |date=May 10, 2022 |title=Defensive end Solomon Byrd changes transfer commitment from Georgia Tech to USC |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/defensive-end-solomon-byrd-changes-transfer-commitment-from-georgia-tech-to-usc/PCP2PZZGUFGEPELQJTW6K76FHM/ |access-date=27 September 2023 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}} In week two Byrd had two sacks, in a win over Stanford.{{cite web |last1=Kartje |first1=Ryan |title=Solomon Byrd, a surprise USC defensive playmaker, waited years for his chance to shine |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/story/2022-09-22/solomon-byrds-overlooked-journey-has-finally-settled-at-usc |website=Los Angeles-Times |date=22 September 2022 |access-date=27 September 2023}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Grosbard |first1=Adam |title=USC's Solomon Byrd practices what coach Lincoln Riley preaches |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2022/09/18/uscs-solomon-byrd-practices-what-coach-lincoln-riley-preaches/ |website=The Orange County Register |date=18 September 2022 |access-date=27 September 2023}} 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.{{cite web |title=Solomon Byrd 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/solomon-byrd-1/gamelog/2022/ |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |access-date=27 September 2023}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2 7/8
| weight = 255
| dash = 5.01
| ten split = 1.84
| twenty split = 2.97
| shuttle = 4.59
| cone drill = 7.45
| vertical = 32.0
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 6
| bench = 18
| arm span = 33 5/8
| hand span = 9 3/4
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/solomon-byrd/32004259-5259-4327-ccca-9a65be216bdd |title=Solomon Byrd Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=March 21, 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1031371&DraftYear=2024 |title=2024 NFL Draft Scout Solomon Byrd College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=March 21, 2024}}{{Cite web |date=March 20, 2024 |title=Sixteen Trojan Draft Prospects Showcase at USC Football’s Pro Day |url=https://usctrojans.com/news/2024/3/20/fifteen-trojan-draft-prospects-showcase-at-usc-footballs-pro-day.aspx |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=USCTrojans.com}}
}}
Byrd was selected by the Houston Texans in the seventh round (238th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Drew |date=April 27, 2024 |title=Texans add DE Solomon Byrd out of USC in Round 7 of the 2024 NFL Draft |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/texans-add-de-solomon-byrd-out-of-usc-in-round-7-of-the-2024-nfl-draft |access-date=2024-05-26 |publisher=Houston Texans}} He was waived on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (08-27-2024)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-08-27-2024|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=August 27, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (08-28-2024)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-08-28-2024|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=August 28, 2024}} Byrd signed a reserve/future contract with Houston on January 21, 2025.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (1-21-2025)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-1-21-2025|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=January 21, 2025}}
Personal life
Byrd's uncle, Manfred Moore, played in the NFL from 1974 to 1976, and won Super Bowl XI with the Oakland Raiders. Another uncle, Malcolm Moore played in 3 games for the Los Angeles Rams during the 1987 NFL season.{{Cite web|title='He's just very much on a mission': Family fuels Solomon Byrd's USC breakthrough|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/story/2023-10-02/solomon-byrd-usc-football-defensive-star|access-date=January 26, 2025|website=latimes.com|language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.houstontexans.com/team/players-roster/solomon-byrd/ Houston Texans bio]
- [https://gowyo.com/sports/football/roster/solomon-byrd/5983 Wyoming Cowboys bio]
- [https://usctrojans.com/sports/football/roster/solomon-byrd/15744 USC Trojans bio]
{{Houston Texans roster navbox}}
{{Houston Texans 2024 NFL draft picks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Byrd, Solomon}}
Category:Players of American football from Palmdale, California
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Wyoming Cowboys football players
Category:USC Trojans football players