Major programs interested in Byrd
LAS VEGAS - There are no new offers for Hatari Byrd but the Fresno (Calif.) Central East safety might be on the verge of landing two major ones that could alter his recruitment.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound four-star prospect said this past weekend at the New Level Athletics Elite 7on7 that Georgia and Oklahoma are showing increased interest and both could possibly offer soon.
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"Georgia just called my position coach and said they wanted to offer me soon," Byrd said. "That's really exciting for me right now but I don't have the offer yet. They're still waiting on my film but they're really interested in me.
"I'm very interested in Oklahoma too but they haven't offered me yet."
So far, Byrd has offers from Arizona State, Cal, Eastern Michigan, Houston, Notre Dame, UCLA, UNLV and Washington.
He has visited USC, UCLA and Cal already and said all three stand out but that the Bruins' coaches especially made an impression.
"I'm just letting everything come together at this point," Byrd said. "I'm only a junior so I'm just letting everything sink in, go to some camps and then I'll make a decision later on.
"When I took those visits I liked all their facilities. I really liked UCLA's coaching staff. They had a lot of NFL coaches coming in so that made a big impression on me."
At this time last off-season, Byrd was considered a project.
He had all the physical tools but was stiff in his movements and seemed unsure against elite talent sometimes. Through his junior season, Byrd has improved greatly and showed at the New Level 7on7 that he should be considered one of the top safeties in the West.
Rivals.com rates him as the No. 20 safety in the 2013 class.
"I feel like I've gotten better covering people," Byrd said. "I can cover like a corner even though I'm a safety."