WS Chronicle

Deyquan Byrd loves to play the game of football.  The Winston-Salem native was a three-year varsity starter for the West Rowan Falcons.  Behind his stellar play as a defensive back for the Falcons, Byrd’s play on the field was enough for him to obtain a scholarship to Catawba College in the fall.  Byrd and his family are relocating back to Forsyth county this summer before he heads off to school this fall.

Byrd began playing football in the seventh grade and immediately took a liking to the sport.  From the moment he stepped on the field in high school his coaches could see the talent he possessed and nurtured him from there.

“Once I got to middle school, football seemed like it may be the sport for me and once I got into it, it was on and popping after that,” Byrd said.  “I love playing cornerback because I get to shut receivers down and I know they hate that.”

The 5-foot-10-inch, 185-pound corner says he was attracted to Catawba because of the opportunity to come in right away and compete for a chance to play.  He says he also wanted to attend the school because he has several friends who have gone or are currently at the university.  He received some attention from other schools such as North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, St. Andrews and Wingate, but decided on Catawba.

Byrd credits his mother and family as the major motivation for him when he steps out on the field.  He says his mother has done so much for him he wants the chance to be able to give back to her.

“My family has influenced me the most and I do this all for them,” he continued.  “If it wasn’t for them I don’t know what I would do.  My mom struggles a lot so I am trying to get to the next level so she does not have to go through that anymore.”

The West Rowan defensive standout led the South Piedmont Conference (SPC) in interceptions with nine, two of which he returned for touchdowns.  Byrd has been a starter for the Falcons since he was a sophomore and garnered All-SPC honors as a junior.  This past season, he was first team All-Rowan County along with making the All-SPC team once again.

For Byrd he says one of the best memories he will forever keep with him is the interception he had during last year’s third round playoff game.  He says even though his team lost, he wanted to give everything he had during his last game of his high school career.

Byrd says he will miss the bright lights playing on Friday nights the most.  He says the way the crowd would cheer it would give him extra motivation.  He also credits his coaches for continually motivating him to get better and better every time he stepped on the field. 

He says he would like to study business accounting once he gets to school.  He says outside of making it to the NFL, he would love to become an entrepreneur. 

Byrd’s mother, Eboni Byrd, says she is extremely proud of her son and fully expects him to succeed once he makes it to college.  She says she wants him to keep pushing forward and do the best he can on and off the field.   

Byrd competed in the Shrine Bowl late last year and has one more high school game on the slate as he will play in the East/West All-Star game later this summer.  He says he looks forward to playing against some of the state’s best players.

Byrd says he plans on making an impact on the field as a freshman.  He says he knows he will have some growing pains but is willing to make the necessary adjustments to get better.

“I know that everything will not go my way and that everything won’t be great all the time but you can never quit,” Byrd continued.  “If you get pushed down you have to get right back up. I have never been a quitter and I never will be.