By Matt Schabert, Morehead State Athletic Media Relations
MOREHEAD, Ky. — Their Morehead State football athletic careers may have wrapped up, but four Eagles are still garnering accolades as Cameron Barrett, BJ Byrd, Andrew Foster and Vincent Winey have earned spots in the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society it was announced this week.
Nominated by their respective schools, members of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society must have:
- Completed their final year of playing eligibility in Fall 2021.
- Attained a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.2 (4.0 scale).
- Met all NCAA/NAIA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.
- Been starters or significant contributors throughout the 2021 season.
Barrett, from Dayton, Ky., and who was a standout student in marketing, finished fifth on the squad with 61 total stops in 2021 and also had three interceptions. Two of his pick-offs came in a win over Stetson, and he had 3.5 tackles for loss this season. He was also named CoSIDA Academic All-District for the second time in his career this past fall and was a three-time First-Team Academic All-PFL award winner. He was also an Honorable Mention All-PFL pick.
Byrd, who was a strategic communications major, ended the regular season as the FCS’ top receiver. The Richmond, Calif, native was the PFL Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All PFL. He led the subdivision with 1,313 receiving yards, 90 receptions, and 8.2 receptions per game in 2021. Byrd’s yardage total, catches and his 13 touchdowns are all MSU single-season records. He also set the single-game record with four TDs against Stetson. Byrd ranked second along all FCS players in touchdown receptions and receiving yards per game (119.4 ypg) during the season. He had an FCS-best eight 100-yard receiving performances in 11 games, including his 223-yard, four-touchdown day against Stetson. Byrd was one of 25 finalists for the Stats Perform FCS Walter Payton Award. He also finished his two-year career ranked among the best receivers in program history. In just 18 games (seven spring games after transferring from Jacksonville), Byrd compiled 1,780 yards, 21 touchdowns, averaging 98.9 yards per game. Byrd was named to five All-American Teams as well as being named Academic All-PFL and to the PFL Honor Roll.
Foster, a Knoxville, Tenn., native, had already earned his Bachelor’s Degree in business and earned a Master’s Degree in sports management. He ranked among the FCS leaders and set the PFL single-season record for punting average at 45.7. He also became the first Eagle punter in program history to average 40+ yards four consecutive seasons, coming up just 0.4 short of the career average record for the Eagles. He also made 12 field goals and was 40-of-42 on PATs, setting the record for consecutive extra point kicks during the year. Foster was named All-PFL as a punter and kicker. He also named Academic All-PFL and to the PFL Honor Roll again this season.
Winey, a native of Lindenhurst , N.Y., majored in English education. A First-Team All-PFL pick for the second straight season, he led the PFL in total tackles this season and became the first Eagle with 100+ stops since 2016. He finished with 106 total stops, including 51 solo tackles, to go along with 12.5 tackles for loss. He also had three sacks, five pass break ups and an interception returned for a touchdown that was MSU’s final score of the 2021 season at Valparaiso. Winey concluded his MSU career with 236 tackles, including 26 for losses. He was named Academic All-PFL and to the PFL Honor Roll.