Mario Byrd

James2024 Top receiver on the team with 10 grabs for 146 yards … team leader in all-purpose yardage (693) thanks to returning 20 kickoffs and three punts … averaged 13.8 yards per rush on his nine carries … two longest runs of the season came in the opener with a 19-yard gain and a 28-yard touchdown, the only Prairie Fire score in the 7-6 win over Eureka in the Lincoln Bowl … season-high seven touches at Lake Forest came on six kickoff returns for 122 yards and a 13-yard end around … had a season-high three receptions for 22 yards at RIpon … hauled in the longest pass of his career — 36 yards — as part of a personal-high 62 receiving yards on just two grabs versus Illinois College … capped a 21-point third quarter at Lawrence by running 18 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the period as Knox went on to defeat the Vikings, 35-34. 2023 Knox’s second-leading receiver as a rookie, hauling in 17 passes for 216 yards … also took the handoff eight times and gained 80 yards on the ground … hauled in three throws for 36 yards in his collegiate debut against Eureka … broke off a 32-yard run in the 31-14 victory over Beloit … had a season-high seven touches at UChicago with three runs for 11 yards, two catches for 30 yards and two kick returns for 23 yards … corralled a season-long 37-yard toss against Ripon … had runs of 17 and 18 yards against Cornell College and Lawrence, respectively … ended the season as he started it, with three receptions but a season-best 39 yards at Monmouth. HIGH SCHOOL Played football at Clay-Chalkville High School. PERSONAL Son of Amber Robertson and Mario Byrd Sr. … has three siblings, Keegan, Mckinsley and Ayanah … born on Aug. 14, 2004.