Jeff Byers (born September 7, 1985) is a former American football Center (American football), center who played in the National Football League. He played his college football for the University of Southern California.

High school career

Byers attended Loveland High School (Colorado), Loveland High School, where he participated in basketball, track and played competitive football. In 2003, he played both offense and defense: That season, on defense as a defensive lineman, he had 203 tackles, 56 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 14 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries (with a touchdown). On offense, as a Center (American football), center he recorded 34 pancake blocks in one game and never allowed a sack in his career.Lynn DeBruin
Byers' setback on field helps him get ahead in classroom
''Rocky Mountain News'', Published December 3, 2005 , Accessed December 22, 2008. Loveland won the Class 4A state championship in 2003. He was named the 2004 Gatorade Player of the Year, as the nation's top high school football player.

College career

Although Byers arrived at USC as a center, the Trojans already had then-sophomore Ryan Kalil who kept the position for three seasons; as a result, he moved to left guard. As a freshman, Byers started 4 and played in all 13 games during the 2004 USC Trojans football team, 2004 season, as the Trojans went on to win the National Championship.Gary Klein
Tailback Moody to transfer
''Los Angeles Times'', August 16, 2007, Accessed December 22, 2008.Gary Klein
Jeff Byers gets sixth year of eligibility with Trojans
''Los Angeles Times'', December 20, 2008, Accessed December 22, 2008. In the spring before the 2005 USC Trojans football team, 2005 season, Byers had hip surgery and missed the entire season under a Redshirt (college sports), medical redshirt. He started the 2006 USC Trojans football team, 2006 season as a reserve in the opening game against University of Arkansas, Arkansas, but suffered a back sprain in subsequent week that required surgery.Gary Klein
Kalil Sits After Hit but Is Set to Play
''Los Angeles Times'', September 15, 2006, Accessed December 22, 2008. He missed the rest of the season. Byers recovered in time for the 2007 USC Trojans football team, 2007 season, where he started all 13 games: 12 starts at left offensive guard and as center against Washington State University. He missed most of the training camps the following spring after contracting Rocky Mountain spotted fever. He was able to recover and was selected as a team captain for the 2008 USC Trojans football team, 2008 season.Gary Klein
Captain Sanchez getting closer
''Los Angeles Times'', August 23, 2008, Accessed December 22, 2008. After starting all 12 regular season games, Byers was selected to the 2008 All-Pac-10 Second-team by conference coaches.Gary Klein
USC's Rey Maualuga named Pac-10's top defensive player
''Los Angeles Times'', December 9, 2008, Accessed December 22, 2008. Due to the health issues that caused him to miss the 2005 and 2006 seasons, Byers petitioned the NCAA for a "clock-extension waiver". In December 2008, the NCAA granted him an additional season of eligibility. Byers received his bachelor's degree in business administration in the summer of 2007, he is currently studying under the Master of Business Administration program at the USC Marshall School of Business. During the 2008 season, USC head coach Pete Carroll had Byers lecture the entire team on the subprime mortgage crisis.Gary Klein
USC guard Jeff Byers gives teammates the business
''Los Angeles Times'', October 9, 2008, Accessed December 22, 2008. He made the 2007 Pac-10 All-Academic second-team. In 2009, Byers was listed at No. 1 on ''Rivals.com′s'' preseason interior lineman power ranking in 2009. With the injury of starting center Kristofer O'Dowd, Byers was moved to starting center for the Trojans 2009 season opener against San Jose State.Gary Klein
Offensive linemen made presence felt
''Los Angeles Times'', September 7, 2009, Accessed September 8, 2009.

Professional career

2010 NFL Draft

Undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, Byers was signed by his former college coach, Pete Carroll, to the Seattle Seahawks on April 30, 2010, but cut before the start of the season. Byers was then added to the Denver Broncos practice squad on September 6, 2010. Byers was activated by the Broncos in December 2010, but released the following summer. Following his release by the Broncos, Byers was added to the Panthers' practice squad on September 5, 2011. He was promoted to the Panthers' active roster on December 17, 2011. Byers announced his retirement on March 11, 2014.

References

External links

USC Athletic Department Biography: Jeff Byers
{{DEFAULTSORT:Byers, Jeff 1985 births Living people American football offensive linemen Carolina Panthers players Denver Broncos players People from Loveland, Colorado Players of American football from Colorado Seattle Seahawks players USC Trojans football players