Tyvonn Byars, Rice RB: the 2026 season story
Tyvonn Byars is a sophomore running back for Rice (American Athletic). He ranks 263rd of 575 running backs in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every running back on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Every measure is set against every ranked running back, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. Tyvonn Byars's strongest measure is rush yards per game at 52, 112th of 299 (the average is 49). His weakest is receiving yards per game at 0, 297th of 299 (the average is 9).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His rush yards per game, 52, ranks 112th among 299 ranked running backs.
Against every running back
Why it matters. Volume, efficiency and impact plays can tell different stories: a player can be busy without being effective, or rarely used but dangerous every time. Among ranked running backs he sits, on average, in the 32nd percentile for volume, 48th for efficiency and 27th for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Consistency matters to a team: one huge game and five quiet ones is a different season from six solid ones. Over 9 games, Tyvonn Byars's best came in week 6 at East Carolina and his quietest in week 5 against UTSA.
When it matters
Why it matters. Third downs, the red zone and games against good teams are where drives and seasons are decided.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. The shape of a player's production, not just its size, is what opponents scout.
National and conference
Why it matters. The Player Index puts every running back on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. Tyvonn Byars is 192nd of 299 FBS running backs and 17th of 30 in the American Athletic. Next up nationally is JaQuail Smith of Colorado, 0.01 ahead on the index.
Running backs like him
Why it matters. Players with similar profiles tend to be used the same way, which makes them a quick way to picture his game. His closest match this season is Dawson Pendergrass of Baylor.
