Northern Illinois University Athletics

Career
• Played in 48 games with 39 starts over last four seasons (2021-24) including every game in 2023 and 2024.
• Recorded 151 tackles, including 105 solo, with four tackles for loss, 14 pass break-ups and three interceptions. 

2024
• Named third team All-MAC by league coaches and by Phil Steele. 
• Made 41 tackles, 27 solo, as a senior with three pass break-ups and a forced fumble.
• Opponents avoided throwing toward the Huskies’ top cover corner much of the season.
• Credited with at least one stop in every game. 
• Named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week (12-2) after recovering a blocked extra point and returned it 95 yards for a defensive two-point conversion against Central Michigan (11-30); had five tackles in the game.
• Totaled 23 tackles in NIU’s four November games, including six each in the Western Michigan (11-6), Akron (11-13) and Miami (11-19) contests. 
• Led NIU with six tackles in win over Akron (11-13) and forced a fumble
• Credited with six tackles and a pass breakup at Miami (11-19)
• Broke up a pair of passes in win over UMass (10-5)

2023
• Started every game at cornerback and totaled 32 tackles, nine solo. 
• Ranked second on the team with five pass break-ups and tied for the team lead in interceptions with three.
• Named to 2023 All-MAC Second Team defense by league coaches.
• Earned Third Team All-MAC honors from Phil Steele. 
• Recorded four tackles with a tackle for loss and an interception in Camellia Bowl win over Arkansas State (12-23). 
• Had two stops in win over Kent State (11-25). 
• Made three tackles, including a tackle for loss, in win over Western Michigan (11-14). 
• Posted four tackles and broke up two passes versus Ball State (11-7). 
• Totaled a season-high five tackles and forced a fumble in win over Eastern Michigan (10-21). 
• Picked off his second pass of the year and added three tackles in win over Ohio (10-14). 
• Contributed three stops at Nebraska (9-16). 
• Recorded his first career interception at Boston College (9-2). 

2022
•    Played in the first four and the last four games of the season at cornerback with six starts.
•    Totaled 38 tackles, 23 solo, tops among NIU corners with three pass break-ups and two tackles for loss. 
•    Made seven tackles, five solo, against both Eastern Illinois (9-1) and Vanderbilt (9-17).
•    Recorded three tackles and was in on a sack at Kentucky (9-24).
•    Broke up a pass and made five tackles, four solo, versus Central Michigan (11-2).
•    One of his four tackles in the Miami game (11-16) was for a loss of a yard.
•    Posted a career-high 10 tackles against Akron (11-26), with a half tackle for loss and a pass breakup.

2021
•    Moved into a starting role at corner for the last seven games of the season after serving as a back-up through the first half of the year.
•    Totaled 40 tackles, 32 solo, with three pass break-ups and a fumble recovery. 
•    Made 35 of his 40 stops after earning the starting spot.
•    Recorded a career high 10 tackles, eight solo, along with a pass break-up vs. Western Michigan (11-23).
•    Tallied six solo tackles at Central Michigan (10-23).
•    Credited with five tackles, four solo, in the MAC Championship game versus Kent State (12-4).
•    Posted five tackles and broke up a pass vs. Ball State (11-10); had four solo tackles and a PBU at Kent State (11-3). 
•    Had four tackles in the OT win at Buffalo (11-17).
•    Recovered a fumble in the Bowling Green game (10-16). 
•    Contributed as a member of the kickoff and punt return teams. 

High School
• A first team all-conference, all-region, and All-State selection as a junior at Rufus King.
• School did not play a senior season due to COVID-19.
• Had six interceptions as a junior and was fourth on his team in tackles with 52.
• Forced a pair of fumbles, recovered one and broke up eight passes in 2019.
• Ranked as the No. 2 defensive back in Wisconsin and the 11th ranked player overall by Rivals.com.
• One of the top 175 recruits in the country according to 247Sports.
 
Personal
• Born in Milwaukee.
• Son of Lea Byrd and Melichia Paterson.
• A sport management major.