Three former New Mexico student athletes make it to the NFL.
The following piece was written by Sean Cardinalli.
Show and Prove—Three former local student-athletes rocket to the NFL
KRQE’s sports director, Van Tate, has plenty to say when it comes to touting three recent, local student-athlete success stories. It’s because he knows that, these days, there’s a different—and much-improved—ethos for college student-athletes and their success in and out of their sport. Universities emphasize the student part of the student-athlete equation now. Tate is not only qualified as a media veteran to rap about athletes’ lives and livelihood, but played tight end himself at UNM back in the day.
We recently talked with Tate about the positive trajectories of Keshawn Banks, Jordan Byrd, and Jerrick Reed II, three talented Black athletes poised to light the pro football world up.
Tate states that in decades past, college athletes were kept eligible to play as long as possible, regardless of their academic credits, which Tate says was doing them a disservice. Nowadays, an athlete can get excused from practice if it conflicts with a class, or they can make the class up online. Athletes’ self-regard has changed, too; they’re taking advantage of the education they’re receiving as a result of their physical prowess. Many are like, “Look, I’m trying to graduate; this is my opportunity,” Tate says. They’re hip to taking care of academic business and working on their degree as effectively as clocking their stats on the field.
Banks, Byrd, and Reed are local football stars who translated great high school and college success into professional possibility. Keshawn Banks graduated Rio Rancho High School, winning the state championship in 2016, finishing 13-0. He’s played defensive lineman for the San Diego State Aztecs and signed a free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers.
Jordan Byrd is a speed demon, beginning as a national track champion in the 100 and 200 meters. He then quarterbacked the Manzano High Monarchs to their only state football championship in 2017. At San Diego State with Banks, he was tops as a running back and kick returner. Tate says there’s “no substitute” for Byrd’s speed. “If you can’t catch somebody, it’s game over.” Byrd signed as an undrafted free agent for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Former Lobo Jerrick Reed II got drafted straight to the Seattle Seahawks. And Tate says Reed’s so well-regarded and “so intense even though he’s not the biggest guy,” that Seattle GM John Schneider calls Reed an “angry elf, so he’s in good standing.” He showed and proved at Seattle’s minicamp this past May.
Tate is especially proud of the character of players like Banks, Byrd, and Reed; of the diligence and perseverance these new pros have shown. “These guys are tough. They couldn’t take a game off. So, by the time they got to the NFL, they didn’t need to be coddled.” Tate notes how smart these local stars are, investing in their future, betting on themselves, and working hard to give themselves all the chances to get where they wanted to go. We’ll all have to keep an eye on them this fall!
Read more about Banks, Byrd, and Reed:
Keshawn Banks is in Van Tate’s sports office – KRQE – https://www.krqe.com/sports/local-sports/keshawn-banks-is-in-van-tates-sports-office/
Jordan Byrd is holding camp to give back to the community – KRQE – https://www.krqe.com/sports/local-sports/jordan-byrd-is-holding-camp-to-give-back-to-community/
Jerrick Reed II – Lobo football player drafted by the Seahawks – KRQE – https://www.krqe.com/news/community/lobo-football-player-drafted-by-the-seahawks/
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Shannon Moreau is the Editor of the NMBLC EQ Blog