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by Chad Vignes
LSU Sports Information
The only thing Demetrius Byrd ever needed to be successful was a chance.
The 6-2, 200-pound senior wide receiver earned his chance at LSU during an unconventional journey to becoming one of the premier receivers in the SEC.
The most football experience Byrd got in high school came from playing two-on-two street ball with his older brother Terrance in front of their home in Miami. His first and only season of high school football came in 2004, his senior year at Miami Central High.
Byrd produced once he got the chance, notching 37 catches for 870 yards and 10 touchdowns, an effort that earned him first team All-State honors. However, his limited game experience raised red flags among some college recruiters. Determined to keep his football dreams alive, Byrd signed with Pearl River Community College in Mississippi.
Another opportunity granted to Byrd yielded more success on the field. In his sophomore season at Pearl River, he caught 45 passes for 730 yards and five touchdowns, including a 36-yard game winning reception late in the fourth quarter of the MACJC state championship, giving Pearl River the 21-20 victory.
After a trip to the junior college national championship game in 2006, Byrd quickly caught the attention of several Division I programs including Tennessee, Ole Miss, Houston and Florida State. However, fate intervened when LSU entered the picture.
“LSU came to me really late in the process,” Byrd said. “They were actually recruiting my roommate when they began talking to me. I got their attention and they liked my speed and thought I could help out in the offense.”
His decision was between Florida State and LSU, but the four-star prospect finally made his choice on signing day.
“I picked LSU over Florida State because I wanted a change,” Byrd admitted. “I didn’t want to go back to Florida and LSU just happened to be a perfect fit for me.”
A minor setback forced Byrd to get a late start joining his new team. He was two courses short of graduating in the spring of 2007 and had to take the classes in the summer. He finished his coursework just in time to join the Tigers before two-a-days began last fall.
“I was late getting to LSU and had some catching up to do learning the offense,” Byrd said. “I spent the early part of the season studying the playbook, some nights until 11 p.m.”
Hard work and fast learning paid off as he earned a spot on the depth chart in the four-wide offensive set.
When senior receiver Early Doucet was injured during the Virginia Tech game, Byrd seized another opportunity.
“It wasn’t automatic for me to move up when Early got hurt,” Byrd said. “I was still just in the four-wide. I felt that I improved in practice and began to get a better grasp of the playbook and the coaches took notice and gave me more chances.”
Contributing to his ascent was a 62-yard touchdown reception against Middle Tennessee and another key touchdown reception in a 28-24 victory over Florida.
That brings us to what Byrd calls his “defining moment.”
Perhaps the best chance he has ever received came in the closing seconds against Auburn in 2007, a chance that Byrd himself requested from LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton.
“I looked up to the press box and waved to Coach Crowton,” said Byrd. “I guess he saw it. I was calling for the go route because it was man-to-man, and he was giving me the free release to the outside.”
What followed was one of the most memorable plays in LSU history as quarterback Matt Flynn connected with Byrd on a perfectly placed 22-yard touchdown pass with one second remaining to give LSU a 30-24 victory.
One year and one national championship later, Byrd is taking advantage of another chance, the chance to be a vocal leader.
“I know it’s my responsibility to lead out there,” the senior said. “I try to keep everyone motivated and have a little fun here and there, but I know there’s a time to play and a time to be serious. As a receiving corps we know we all have to be leaders and take responsibility for ourselves and strive to get better.”
Whether in high school, junior college or at LSU, Demetrius Byrd has excelled. After graduating, Byrd hopes his next chance will come with an NFL franchise, a chance he certainly will not take for granted.
“Whether I make it to the NFL or not, I won’t leave here empty-handed,” Byrd said. “If there’s one thing LSU has instilled in me it has been to be respectful to others and to always appreciate and be grateful for the opportunities you’re given.”