Pro football: Byrne eager for next chapter in career

CARMEL – When reflecting on a nearly decade-long journey that began when JT Byrne put on football pads for the first time as a then 14-year-old, the first thought that crossed his mind was how grateful he was.

As the NFL draft approaches Thursday in Pittsburgh, Byrne doesn't know if his name will be called during the three-day, seven-round event, or if he will be signed as an undrafted rookie free agent.

Yet, based on the amount of interest that has surfaced in the past two months, the 6-foot-6 tight end is expected to be with an NFL team before rookie mini-camps.

"Excitement and nerves," Byrne said. "I feel a little of both. I've had some time to look back at how this unfolded and reflect on how much still has to unfold."

The 23-year-old former Carmel High three-sport athlete is home for a week, having gone through a recent Pro Day at Georgia Tech, as well as an individual workout.

Having chiseled down to a lean 254 pounds, Byrne or his agent have had conversations with at least half of the 32 NFL teams ahead of the draft.

"You have conversations with coaches when going through drills," Byrne said. "Some rise after the fact. It's all about getting as much information as possible. Sometimes that's not possible."

Meaning, as encouraging as some of Byrne’s workouts and conversations have been with NFL teams or scouts, no team is showing their hand.

"If you're not a Top 10 pick, you usually know as much as the public," Byrne said. "It makes it easier to answer questions. It's realistic to be thinking I could go in the sixth or seventh round."

What Byrne has done since arriving at Georgia Tech last year after two seasons at Cal was climb the ladder among tight ends eligible for the draft.

"Attitude, physicality and toughness have been a part of my game in any sport I played," Byrne said. "It's a lot safer being the hammer instead of the nail."

The 2021 Herald Male Athlete of the Year has evolved into a punishing run-blocking tight end who has lined up in the backfield at times, showing NFL teams another dimension.

"His blocking was probably the weakest part of his game coming out of high school," Carmel football coach Golden Anderson said. "He never got out of a stance in high school."

Byrne caught 48 passes for five touchdowns as a junior in 2019 for the Padres, and lined up behind center for two games as the team’s quarterback, throwing for 580 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing for six touchdowns.

"He had a much larger role this past year at Georgia Tech," Anderson said. "The best program he’s played in, and he had the most opportunities. It says a lot about how hard he's worked."

While Byrne treasured his time at Oregon State and Cal, entering the portal and playing his final collegiate season at Georgia Tech put his talents on the map.

"I played behind two guys at Oregon State that are in the NFL," Byrne said. "I got meaningful snaps at Cal and my degree. All of this was important in my development. Coming here was the cherry on top."

Not only did Byrne make an impact as a run blocker for nationally-ranked Georgia Tech, but he became a weapon as a receiver for the first time in his college career.

The Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division Player of the Year in basketball in 2020, Byrne caught six passes for 42 yards and two touchdowns, including one in a bowl game against BYU.

"I have always believed in myself," Byrne said. "As an athlete, you have to have faith that it's going to work. I would not trade any of my experiences in any way."

Byrne's performance this past fall earned him an invitation to the Hula Bowl. He worked out for all 32 teams at a recent Pro Day at Georgia Tech.

"A big goal for me was to showcase my versatility at a high level," Byrne said. "I thought my Pro Day went fantastic. I'm a 23-year-old man ready to go wherever I'm needed."

Byrne did have a personal interview with the Denver Broncos during the Hula Bowl. He also had an individual workout with the Falcons, in which he talked with team president and former Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan.

"Most of the conversations through my agent have been positive," Byrne said. "You kind of hear it all. I told my agent that I am leaving it up to you about finding the best fit for me."

That doesn't mean Byrne hasn't done his own scouting report, peeking at NFL franchises that he believes would be a good fit for his strengths, as well as a team in need of a tight end.

"There are teams where I look and say I can fit there," Byrne said. "Teams that want a tight end that is physical and provides a need, I identify myself as that kind of player."

While Byrne's pre-draft workouts were mainly at the tight end position, he got some work in the backfield as well, having taken 80 snaps last year from the fullback position at Georgia Tech.

"Part of the job of a tight end today is sliding back into the fullback position," Byrne said. "I pride myself as a true tight end. But it's part of the job description."

Current 49ers all-pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk was a tight end at Harvard before being converted to a fullback for his blocking prowess.

"I just want to make an impact wherever I go," Byrne said. "Teams can fluctuate during the draft based on trades or selections. What you're being told and what happens can change in a moment’s notice.”

To a degree, Byrne feels he is still tipping the scales with his talents. It wasn't until he went off to college that his focus turned solely to football.

For four years, he was a seasonal athlete, putting his attention toward the sport he was playing in the moment, earning all-league honors in football, basketball and baseball.

"Specialization is overrated in high school," Byrne said. "If you have the physical attributes, colleges will see that. I took pride in being sore as hell after football season ended, and the next day I was playing a basketball game. I just loved competing. The coaches at Carmel set the foundation for who I am."

If Byrne is drafted or signed after the draft, he will become the first former Carmel player in the NFL since Andrew Franks kicked for the Miami Dolphins seven years ago.

"We've gotten a few questionnaires for JT from NFL teams, mostly about his medical history at Carmel," Anderson said. "It's not like they're asking what kind of a guy he is. It's not personal."

Currently, there are no county players in the NFL after Palma grad Drew Dalman unexpectedly retired after an all-pro season as the center for the Chicago Bears.

"It's really cool and humbling to watch what has transpired before your eyes," Byrne said. "We are at a point where this is what I’ve been thinking about for so many years. Now we’re just sitting here. I just have to continue to enjoy it and trust what's next."

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This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 5:32 PM.