A two-time First-team All-Ivy League tackle at Princeton, Henry Byrd has spent three years working his way onto the Minnesota Vikings' active roster.
Henry Byrd is an offensive lineman who signed a two-year extension with the Minnesota Vikings after finally landing on the active roster in December 2025. He starred at left tackle for Princeton before beginning an NFL journey that took him through Denver and San Francisco practice squads, and he has become known for his ability to play multiple spots along the line.
Path to the league
Byrd played offensive line at Princeton from 2018 to 2022, mostly at left tackle, earning Second-team All-Ivy League as a freshman and First-team All-Ivy League honors in both 2021 and 2022. He also picked up All-ECAC and FCS All-American Third Team recognition in 2022 before going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Byrd signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2023 but was released that August. He bounced through practice squad stints with the Vikings and 49ers before settling back with Minnesota in December 2023, where he has remained ever since, developing into a versatile lineman capable of playing snaps at multiple positions.
2025 season recap
After signing futures contracts with Minnesota in each of the previous two offseasons, Byrd earned a spot on the Vikings' active roster in December 2025 and signed a two-year contract extension. He has appeared in two career NFL games, working his way up from the practice squad through sheer positional flexibility.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Henry Byrd (American football)
- ESPN: Henry Byrd
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Guard
- Group
- offense
- College
- Princeton
- Hometown
- Nashville, TN, USA
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
