Tennessee Adds 4-Star Florida CB WR Tyler Byrd Flipping him from Miami on NSD Eve

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The recruiting process has been a wild one and the twist and turns along the way might not be any crazier than what has been the path to National Signing Day for Tyler Byrd. On the eve of National Signing Day, the Naples High School star took another turn decommitting from Miami picking Tennessee instead.

The Volunteers have been solid on the recruiting trail with 18 verbal commits including nine 4-star rated talents. The addition of Byrd certainly strengthens the class.

Byrd (5’11.5”, 192) has been a playmaker since his freshman year in 2012 coming up with 17 receptions for 451 yards with eight scores. During his sophomore year, he started putting his talents to use on both sides of the ball catching eight passes for 144 yards with one score and on defense coming up with 48 tackles, five pass breakups, three tackles for a loss, and two picks.

The Florida star had his role expanded in 2014 continuing his strong play on defense with 46 tackles, two picks, and four pass breakups but had 10 receptions for 228 yards with three touchdowns. His senior year he turned in a performance worthy of being selected as an U.S. Army All-American making 38 stops with five pass breakups with one pick. He had his best year on offense ending with 641 receiving yards off 36 receptions with nine scores.

Recruiting for Byrd was an evolving story starting out as a Florida Gators commit but decommitted on Feb. 3, 2015 opting to play for the Miami Hurricanes. The coaching change in south Florida seemingly opened Byrd back up to the recruiting process. He made an official visit on Jan. 22 to the Canes but decided to take an official visit to Knoxville after a coaches’ visit from head coach Butch Jones, Larry Scott, and Robert Gillespie. The trip to Tennessee on Jan. 29 went well and on Feb. 2 decided the Volunteers would be where he played his college ball.

Tennessee is in the mix for several high profile athletes. Byrd’s commitment could be a momentum shifting commitment that could help sway other players on the fence before their announcement ceremonies on Wednesday.

Photo credit: nbc-2.com; Tyler Byrd at U.S. Army All-American Game.