THE ANALYST STORY ON AWARD

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- No single wide receiver in Morehead State program history can say he set four records on one day, except BJ Byrd.

The dynamic wideout for the Eagles is one of the best in the nation at catching balls, making defenders miss, and scoring touchdowns and now he has been named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.

The award is presented to the nation's best FCS offensive player. A 50-member, national media panel will select the winner, who will be announced on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas – the eve of the FCS championship game.

Byrd, from Richmond, Calif, by way of transferring from the defunct Jacksonville University program prior to the 2020 year, set Morehead State records for single-season yards (1,313 for the year), receptions (90), touchdowns (13) and single-game touchdowns (4) - all during the comeback victory over Stetson Nov. 13.

He led the PFL and ranks No. 1 among all FCS players in receiving yards and receptions per game (8.2) while also pacing the entire PFL and ranking second in the FCS in yards per game (119.4). Byrd, so far, led the FCS and the PFL with eight 100-yard games. Byrd had three games with double-digit receptions and four more with nine catches.

In just 18 career games, he ranks sixth in receiving yards (1,720) and fourth in TDs (21) in program history. A First-Team All-PFL honoree in spring 2021 as wide receiver and all-purpose athlete, he was also named Academic All-PFL in spring 2021 and to the PFL Academic Honor Roll.