Speed does not define him, he
defines speed. At the underclassmen’s combine in his
native New Jersey, Damiere Byrd of the Timber Creek
Chargers (NJ) set up for his forty yard dash. Scouts had
heard about his quickness, but this event would confirm
any and all beliefs. Bolting from the starting line, the
dash seemed to end as fast as it started. The dust
settled. The coaches evaluated and determined the
official time.
The verdict was in; Damiere Byrd had officially run a
4.32 forty-yard dash. “That time was great, I didn’t
expect to run that fast but I did and I was happy to say
the least.”
Byrd was not the only happy man at the combine either. A
year has passed, and Byrd has received a total of 11
offers from celebrated division one football programs.
With some junior days in his pocket, Byrd was able to
conceptualize what it would be like to spend the next
four years on a college campus.
“I went to South Carolina, Rutgers, and UConn. All of
them were great. I got to see all the facilities and the
every day program they have set up for their athletes.”
While many schools are actively serenading Byrd, he sees
no rush in the recruiting process.
“Right now I am still waiting. I haven’t really put much
thought into [recruitment] it yet.” Read into it what
you will, but Byrd did in fact admit that he watches SEC
football nearly every Saturday more than he does any
other conference.
Damiere Byrd may be a wizard when it comes to combine
sessions, but he knows that there is more needed to
succeed at the next level than just timed running
ability. Byrd was able to apply all of his heralded
attributes on the field as he totaled seven total
touchdowns and averaged 29 yards per kick return during
the 08-09 campaign. These strengths are accompanied by a
few weaknesses Damiere Byrd hopes to focus on before
leading his team into 2010. “I just want to get
stronger, run better routes, and start to block more
than I have in the past.” The Chargers will need him to
make these improvements in order to reach their goal.
With 2009’s success anything seems possible for Timber
Creek next fall.
Byrd’s junior season was filled with success (9-2) and
an extended run to the state championship was stymied by
Hammonton High in the playoffs. Byrd admitted he was a
bit disappointed last year, but is eager to leave
everything on the field in his senior year.
“Our season was great. We were able to accomplish all of
our goals besides winning the championship. With our
conference rearranged next year, I definitely think we
can get back to the championship next year and win it
all.”
With a coach like Robert Hinson, Byrd knows that success
is a clear target not only every Friday, but every day
at practice as well. “Coach Hinson is more of hands on
coach. If we’re not doing what we have to do, he usually
jumps in there and tries to run it for us. He shows us
what we have to do every week. He’s a great motivator,
and gets us ready for everything we need to do under the
lights.”
As spring workouts move along at a steady pace for the
players at Timber Creek, Damiere Byrd is working hard
and looking forward to the prospect of possibly hoisting
up the state trophy next winter.
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