Dec. 16, 2005

Byrum 2005 Season-In-Review

East Roster (pdf)

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Dion Byrum (Matthews, N.C.) has been selected to participate in the 2006 East-West Shrine Game that will take place in San Antonio, Texas on Jan. 21. Byrum is on the roster for the East team.

Byrum has been named to three All-America teams following his senior season. He was a first-team choice by the American Football Coaches Association and a second-team selection by both the Assoicated Press and Sports Illustrated.

Byrum led the MAC, and tied for second nationally, with six interceptions in his final season. He ran back two of those interceptions for touchdowns, and led the nation with three total defensive touchdowns, including a fumble return against Northwestern.

The senior was one of 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding defensive back. He received several national player of the week honors after his performance in the Bobcats' overtime win against Pittsburgh in which he had two interception returns for touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime. Byrum was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation National Defensive Player of the Week, the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week, the USA Today National Player of the Week and College Sports Report's I-A Performer of the Week. He was also selected as a midseason All-American by Sports Illustrated.

Byrum was chosen as the MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week twice during the 2005 season. He not only tied for the league lead in interceptions, but was also tied for third with 12 passes defended. Byrum also finished eighth in the league with a 7.5 yards per punt return average. He was eighth on the team with 45 tackles.

Byrum is the first Ohio player to be invited to the East-West Shrine Game since Mike Green in 1976. It is the fourth straight season that a Bobcat football player has been invited to a postseason all-star game. Dave Zastudil played in the Senior Bowl in 2002, Chad Brinker played in the Hula Bowl in 2003 and Kevin Carberry took part in the All-Star Gridiron Classic after the 2004 season.

In addition to Byrum, one other MAC player is represented on the East roster. Western Michigan receiver Greg Jennings will also represent the league in the game.

Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt will guide the East team, while Texas A&M head coach will be on the sideline of the West squad.