Solomon Byrd

Solomon Byrd Bio

Solomon Byrd is an American professional football defensive end who currently plays for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Born on December 1, 1999, in Palmdale, California, Byrd developed his skills at Knight High School before advancing through the collegiate ranks at the University of Wyoming and the University of Southern California. The Houston Texans selected him in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 238th overall pick. Byrd comes from a football family, with his uncle Manfred Moore having won Super Bowl XI with the Oakland Raiders. In his rookie season and early professional career, Byrd has split time between the Texans active roster and practice squad while developing as a pass rusher.

Early Life and Background

Solomon Byrd was born and raised in Palmdale, California, where he attended Knight High School. During his high school career, Byrd established himself as a disruptive defensive player, recording 155 total tackles with 20.5 going for a loss. He also tallied 16 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and six forced fumbles over his tenure. His productivity and playmaking ability at the high school level caught the attention of college programs, setting the stage for his transition to the next tier of football.

Path to American Football

Following his standout high school career, Byrd committed to play college football at the University of Wyoming. The decision to join the Wyoming Cowboys marked the beginning of his journey through major college football. At Wyoming, Byrd had the opportunity to develop under collegiate competition and showcase his abilities against Mountain West Conference opponents. His performance at the high school and early college levels demonstrated the skills that would eventually earn him a shot at professional football.

Solomon Byrd Career

Wyoming Cowboys (2018–2021)

Byrd began his college career at the University of Wyoming in 2018, appearing in his freshman season where he recorded five tackles. The 2019 season marked his breakout year, as he became a consistent contributor for the Cowboys defense. In week three of that season, Byrd delivered a clutch sack that forced a punt with three minutes remaining, helping Wyoming defeat Idaho 21-16. The following week, he posted a standout performance with 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a pass deflection in a victory over Tulsa.

Byrd finished the 2019 campaign with 45 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and 6.5 sacks. His exceptional play earned him recognition as an FWAA Freshman All-American, highlighting his impact as a young player in the Mountain West. He opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic before returning for the 2021 season, where he recorded 37 tackles with 3.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. After the 2021 season, Byrd entered the NCAA transfer portal seeking a new opportunity.

USC Trojans (2022–2023)

Byrd initially committed to transfer to Georgia Tech but later changed his path to join the University of Southern California. At USC, he immediately made an impact in the Trojans defense. In week two of the 2022 season, he recorded two sacks in a win over Stanford. The following week, Byrd made his first career start, contributing four tackles with two for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in a victory against Fresno State.

Byrd concluded the 2022 season with 28 tackles, 7.5 for loss, four sacks, a pass deflection, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. His versatility and ability to affect the quarterback made him a valuable piece of the USC defense during his two seasons with the program. The experience gained at both Wyoming and USC prepared him for the challenges of professional football.

Houston Texans Era (2024–Present)

The Houston Texans selected Solomon Byrd in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 238th overall pick, adding him to their defensive line rotation. He began his rookie season with the Texans but was waived in late August 2024 before being re-signed to the practice squad. This pattern of moving between the active roster and practice squad became a theme of his early professional career, reflecting both the competitive nature of the NFL and the developmental path common for late-round picks.

Byrd signed a reserve/future contract with Houston on January 21, 2025, securing his place on the roster heading into his second season. He continued to work on his craft during the 2025 offseason and preseason. In August 2025, he was waived during final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad. In December 2025, the Texans promoted Byrd to the active roster, providing him with an opportunity to contribute during the regular season. He was later waived in late December and returned to the practice squad before signing another reserve/futures contract in January 2026.

Playing Style and Strengths

Byrd primarily lines up as a defensive end in the Texans scheme. His collegiate production at both Wyoming and USC demonstrated his ability to rush the quarterback and stop the run. He showed a knack for creating turnovers with forced fumbles and fumble recoveries throughout his career. His experience starting at USC and his family legacy in professional football provide him with a foundation to build upon as he continues his NFL career.

Notable Events and Milestones

Byrd achieved the milestone of being drafted into the NFL despite being selected in the seventh round, which represents the culmination of his journey from Palmdale to professional football. His FWAA Freshman All-American honor in 2019 stands as one of his most notable collegiate achievements. The pattern of being signed to the active roster in December and earning another futures contract demonstrates the Texans continued interest in his development.

Solomon Byrd Career Statistics

Byrd has begun building his professional career statistics with limited playing time in his first two seasons with the Texans organization.

NFL Statistics

Solomon Byrd Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Byrd comes from a family with deep roots in professional football. His uncle, Manfred Moore, played in the NFL from 1974 to 1976 and won Super Bowl XI with the Oakland Raiders. Another uncle, Malcolm Moore, appeared in three games for the Los Angeles Rams during the 1987 NFL season. This family legacy provided Byrd with guidance and inspiration throughout his development as a football player.

Personal Life

Byrd maintains his connection to his California roots while pursuing his professional career in Houston. His uncles experience navigating the NFL provided him with valuable insights into what it takes to succeed at the highest level of the sport.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a year of continued development for Byrd with the Houston Texans organization. After beginning the year on the practice squad following the final roster cuts in August, Byrd earned a promotion to the active roster in December 2025. This promotion provided him with regular season NFL experience and an opportunity to showcase his abilities at the professional level. The Texans coaching staff continued to evaluate his progress throughout the season, which led to his mid-season elevation from the practice squad.

Byrd signed another reserve/futures contract with the Texans in January 2026, indicating the organization sees potential in his continued growth. The pattern of moving between the active roster and practice squad during his first two seasons reflects the developmental nature of his early career. As Byrd enters his third offseason with the organization, he will have the opportunity to compete for a more permanent role on the defensive line during training camp and OTAs.