Philadelphia Eagles Safety Kevin Byard Trained With Reed Blankenship Before Trade

Philadelphia Eagles safety Kevin Byard says he trained with Reed Blankenship over the summer.

The newest member of the Philadelphia Eagles, safety Kevin Byard, says that he and Reed Blankenship trained together in Nashville during the offseason. 

"I didn't get a chance to play with Reed in college, but obviously I kept up with him his whole career," Byard said. "We actually trained together this offseason in Nashville. He lives in Nashville in the offseason, I live there as well so we trained, we're really cool friends so excited to be joining the secondary with him."

Both Byard and Blankenship played college football at Middle Tennessee State University, but didn't overlap. Byard was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft while Blankenship signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Kevin Byard recorded 19 interceptions across four seasons at Middle Tennessee State University.  / USA Today

Byard was traded to Philadelphia by the Titans in exchange for safety Terrell Edmunds, a 2024 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth-round pick. The 30-year-old safety is a native to Philadelphia, as he was born in the city and according to him, his entire family are Eagles fans. 

He spent almost eight full seasons with Tennessee, making two Pro Bowls and First Team All-Pro in 2017 and 2021. This season, Byard has recorded 47 tackles and no interceptions, passes defended or tackles for loss. 

Blankenship has been with the Eagles for two seasons in which he has recorded 73 tackles, nine passes defended and two interceptions in 15 games. While he is not an All-Pro safety like Byard, he has provided solid play at the position for a contending team that needed it. 

Philadelphia will be hitting the road this week to take on the Washington Commanders on Sunday at 1 p.m.