Preston Bird, Samford WR: the 2026 season story
Preston Bird is a junior wide receiver for Samford (Southern). He ranks 595th of 988 wide receivers in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every wide receiver on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Knowing the one or two things a player does best, and where he is ordinary, says more than any single total. Preston Bird's strongest measure is target share at 18%, 189th of 485 (the average is 17%). His weakest is yards per target at 5.7, 436th of 485 (the average is 8.2).
Season production
Why it matters. Totals reward staying healthy and getting the ball; per-game numbers show how much he really carries each week. His receiving yards per game, 29, ranks 335th among 485 ranked wide receivers.
Against every wide receiver
Why it matters. Splitting the measures into how much, how well and how many big plays shows what kind of wide receiver he is. Among ranked wide receivers he sits, on average, in the 46th percentile for volume, 25th for efficiency and 38th for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. A season average can hide a player who is great one week and absent the next; game by game shows how dependable he is. Over 10 games, Preston Bird's best came in week 7 against Mercer and his quietest in week 5 at UAB.
When it matters
Why it matters. Plenty of players produce in easy situations; the ones who keep it up on third down and against good teams are the ones coaches trust.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. Where and how a player makes his plays shows how his team uses him and what a defense has to take away.
National and conference
Why it matters. A national rank shows how a player stacks up beyond his own league, where the competition can be very different. Preston Bird is 225th of 503 FCS wide receivers and 16th of 33 in the Southern. Next up nationally is Tyrell Pollard of Central Arkansas, 0.01 ahead on the index.
Career
Why it matters. Past seasons show whether this year is a breakout, a steady climb or a step back. His best season by the Player Index was 2025 at Samford, 422nd of 1,095 wide receivers.
Wide receivers like him
Why it matters. Comparing a player with his closest statistical matches puts his season in context beyond the rankings. His closest match this season is Lynel Billups-Williams of Miami (OH).
