As a senior, he was the Missouri 4A offensive player of the year and played a large role in leading the school to the 2004 state championship.

In 2006 Byrd was a freshman All-American second-team selection by The Sporting News and was the Pac-10 co-freshman player of the year (alongside Taylor Mays and Alterraun Verner).

In his second start the next week Byrd recorded his first career interception off of Derek Anderson of the Cleveland Browns.

Starting for the third straight week, Byrd recorded two more interceptions off Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets bringing his total to three.

[9] The next week against the Carolina Panthers, Byrd had his second straight game of two interceptions, both of them coming off Jake Delhomme, bringing his total to five.

[12] After the Bills bye week Byrd intercepted his eighth pass of the season off of Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans.

[13] He intercepted his ninth pass of the season off of Matt Cassel of the Kansas City Chiefs.

[18] On March 1, 2013, the Bills placed their franchise tag on Byrd after he was originally designated to become a free agent after the 2012 season.

[21] Byrd's tenure with the Bills ended after the team and his agents failed to agree on a long-term deal following the 2013 season.

In five seasons with Buffalo, Byrd intercepted 22 passes and forced 11 fumbles, also making three Pro Bowl appearances.

[26] [27] His father, Gill Byrd, played in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers from 1983 to 1992, and was the defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills for the 2017-18 season.