Willie Byrn: The Reliable Slot Receiver

Sep 20, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Willie Byrn (82) runs the ball after a catch against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets safety Isaiah Johnson (1) during the third quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

The Virginia Tech Hokies currently have the best group of receivers they’ve had since the era of Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale. Virginia Tech might be without Joshua Stanford for now due to personal issues but the Hokies have proven that they are loaded with talent at wide receiver with plenty of depth at tight end also.

There is one player that is not at the top of the depth chart but once again is a very reliable player. That man is Willie Byrn.

The former walk-on had a break out season in 2013 and is once again getting the job done despite only making one start in 2013 and currently being the number 3 receiver on the depth chart behind freshmen Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips.

Byrn is tied for the team lead with 24 receptions along with also having 207 receiving yards and an average of 8.6 yards per catch. The yards per catch numbers aren’t great but they are solid and Byrn has proven to be a reliable player that Michael Brewer can throw the ball to when he has very little time left in the pocket.

Byrn also has the speed and acceleration to get space quickly on a slant and gain the yards that he needs to get. Byrn is also a tough, elusive receiver that has done a good job turning a not so good pass into a solid gain with his fair share of broken tackles already this season.

Willie Byrn is a tough player that has fought his way up the Virginia Tech depth chart to being a productive player in Blacksburg after first arriving as a walk-on. Byrn has earned his nicknames including “the paper boy” and “the delivery man”. Byrn has had a couple of drops but overall, the senior wide receiver has been very reliable.