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Having not yet arrived on campus, Tennessee U.S. Army All-American signee Tyler Byrd, along with fellow Volunteer signee and current Naples teammate Carlin Fils-aime, is still busy with high school track. Judging from Byrd’s latest accomplishment, the Vols can expect Byrd to bring an elite level of athleticism and explosiveness to the team immediately upon his arrival this summer.
An accomplished member of the Naples’ track team, the 6-foot, 194-pound Byrd won the Florida state high school long jump Friday:
We have our 1st state title from #SWFL at FHSAA Championships @IMGAcademy: @NaplesHS' @D1fuzzymuffin17 (Tyler Byrd) hits 24-5 to win @ndn
— Cory Mull (@ByCoryMull) May 6, 2016
Byrd’s title isn’t his first, as the Tennessee signee also won his state’s long jump two years ago as a sophomore, too:
That's Tyler Byrd's second state title (also won as soph). His first jump gave him lead (23-7) and his last gave him PR @D1fuzzymuffin17
— Cory Mull (@ByCoryMull) May 6, 2016
Byrd of course flipped from his Miami commitment the weekend before National Signing Day thanks in large part to the recruiting effort of Vols new tight end coach Larry Scott and Byrd’s best friend Fils-aime. Byrd played both offense and defense in high school but played on the defense and special teams in the U.S. Army All-American game and made several highlight reel plays while going head-to-head against several of the nation’s best prospects.
Byrd recently made news as he revealed he would start his Tennessee career on the offensive side of the ball as a receiver. Both he and Fils-aime are also known for their excellent special teams play and are expected to immediately compete for positions on the Vols’ third unit. Cracking the lineup on one of the nation’s best special teams units would appear to be an arduous task for any true freshmen, but most freshmen don’t have the physical tools of these two speedy Florida prospects.
Tennessee head coach Butch Jones has been keeping tabs on his star athlete, as he sent out this congratulatory tweet Friday:
https://twitter.com/UTCoachJones/status/728710253626429440
Don’t be surprised to see both Byrd and Fils-aime’s names this fall as standouts special teamers on Rocky Top.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
