2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Henry Byrd, OL, Princeton University

• Name: Henry Byrd
• Position: OL
• College: Princeton University
• Height: 6’5″
• Weight: 310 lbs
• Twitter: @Henbyrd
• Instagram: @henbyrd

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My Dad. He’s always been my number one supporter and will drop everything to make sure he’s there for me.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

Winning games in the 4th quarter or overtime are always special to me. Especially the ones against Monmouth and Harvard last year.

Why did you decide you wanted to be an offensive lineman?

I’ve always been a big kid so I’ve never played any other position than offensive line but it really clicked for me in high school.

What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

I pride myself on being reliable. One of my mantras is “the most important play is the next one.”

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

Andrew Whitworth. Not only is he one of the greatest tackles of all time but he does incredible work off the field and seems down to earth.

What are your favorite things about playing football for Princeton?

My favorite thing about playing at Princeton is the trust I have in my teammates. 100% effort is already a given so we can focus on the game without any distractions.

What should we know about Henry Byrd the person?

I really try to be well rounded and push my boundaries with everything I do, not just football and education. For example I tap danced in high school and I’m learning how to play the banjo right now.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

Scheme is less important to me than offensive identity. I love being able to take over a game on the ground. I’m happy with however we get there.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I try to have a next snap mentality on and off the field. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes but as long as you learn from it you can keep improving.

What would a team get in a player like you?

As far as my skills as a lineman, I have good feet and I’m quick out of my set and off the ball. I do a good job with tracking and picking up blitzes too. I also really enjoy the process of putting in the work in the weight room, watching film, etc.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

We have a lot of talent coming back as 5th years in on offense so I’m excited to get to play one last year with them. Plus we play a few games on national TV and it’s always fun to play in front of a big audience.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Connor Scaglione. He’s a versatile lineman, a great athlete, and can block anybody. I think he’s going to have a huge breakout year.