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Photo of Jairus Byrd

Jairus Byrd, CB

Overview

Overview

The son of former San Diego Chargers cornerback Gill Byrd, Pac-10 opponents won't shed a tear that Jairus Byrd left early for the NFL. An all-conference choice after each of his three seasons at Oregon, Jairus Byrd finished only one interception short of the school record. Five of his career 17 interceptions came in 2008, helping Byrd to earn first-team All-Pac-10 accolades two seasons after earning the conference co-Freshman of the Year honors (along with USC safety Taylor Mays and UCLA cornerback Alterraun Verner). A natural playmaker whose versatility as a punt returner could mean an immediate impact at the next level, Byrd is only a workout away from emerging as a legitimate first-day -- perhaps first-round -- prospect.


High School

Coached in high school by Mike Musick ... To merely hint that the Missouri 4A offensive player of the year played a large role in leading the Greyhounds to the 2004 state championship would be a gross understatement. He willed the school to a 13-1 ledger as a quarterback, safety, wide receiver and on special teams to aid the march to the Suburban East Conference title ... Ranked fourth in the state in scoring (158 points), rushed for 1,480 yards (seventh in the state) while averaging 8.76 yards per carry with 26 touchdowns his senior season ... In addition, he passed for another 1,038 yards (65-128) and 13 scores ... Also was afforded first-team all-state accolades on defense as his team's second-leading tackler posted 71 stops (60 unassisted) along with seven interceptions (fifth in the state), three quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries ... Completed the package with six catches for 125 yards (20.8-yard average), 10 kickoff returns (30.1-yard average) and 15 returned punts (13.3-yard average) in addition to punting the football 18 times for a 37.6-yard clip.


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Analysis

Analysis

Positives: Well-built athlete. ... Good initial jam at the line of scrimmage. ... Loose hips to turn and run with the receiver. ... Can shadow the receiver due to very good lateral quickness and the ability to plant and go out of his cuts. ... Late explosive burst to close on the ball. ... Gets his hands on a lot of passes. ... Natural playmaker with soft hands for the interception. ... Times leaps well and can snatch the ball out of the air. ... Good body control to make the catch outside of his frame. ... Natural with the ball in his hands. ... Good feel for the return. ... Good vision to set up blocks. ... Good agility and has a quick burst to accelerate. ... Reliable open-field tackler. ... Breaks down in space well and wraps his arms securely. ... Willing to come up in run support. ... Good bloodlines. ... Father Gill Byrd was a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback with San Diego and recently served as Chicago Bears DBs coach.


Negatives: More quick than he is fast. ... May lack the straight-line speed for a traditional man-to-man scheme. ... Can be grabby in coverage, likely to lead to pass interference penalties in the NFL. ... Reliable open-field tackler, but isn't an intimidating hitter. ... Assisted by an aggressive pass rush and a veteran secondary at Oregon.


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