The year is 1984 and Keith Byars is the new Ohio State record holder for all-purpose yards in a single season with 2,441 yards. He also just demolished the record for rushing yards in a single season with 1,764 yards while chipping in 22 touchdowns. Byars was an absolute man amongst boys, averaging a whopping 5.3 yards per carry.
Let’s not forget that Byars was also the definition of a total package with insane receiving ability (which would explain the seamless move to tight end during his NFL career). Byars snagged 42 receptions for 479 yards and two more touchdowns. Oh did we also forget his 35-yard touchdown pass or his eight kick returns for an average of 24.8 yards per return? If you have seen Friday Night Lights then Byars was basically Boobie Miles.
Any other season and Byars would have a Heisman Trophy, but Doug Flutie had one of the more magical college football seasons in the history of the game and mounted one of the most iconic upsets and on top of that created one of the most memorable highlights in college football history. I don’t need to go any further into Doug Flutie and his time at Boston College with the Hail Mary pass to defeat powerhouse Miami.
At the end of the day, Flutie took home the bronze statue with Byars finishing as the runner-up in voting.
Keith Byars (1982-1985) pic.twitter.com/Q6oLSonGFr
— Mr. Ohio (@MrOH1O) April 10, 2020
Many people will point to a “lack” of a Heisman moment for Byars, but this is completely untrue. Byars had one of the most memorable games in Ohio State history with an insane highlight to go with it. Byars rushed for 274 yards and five touchdowns against Illinois and had a 67 yard rushing touchdown that featured him losing his shoe. Few remember that the Buckeyes were down by 24 points before Byars found his groove.
Good day to share this.
Congrats to @OhioStateFB great Keith Byars (@KAB41) on the @cfbhall induction. pic.twitter.com/tIUG9NGd6z
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) March 11, 2020
At the end of the day, Doug Flutie had an incredible season and it was worthy of the Heisman, but it is a shame that Byars doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
☝ @OhioStateFB RB has run for 5 TDs in a B1G game.
He is Keith Byars (@KAB41), and he did it #OTD in 1⃣9⃣8⃣4⃣. pic.twitter.com/O36K4BEVRR
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) October 13, 2020
For some Ohio State fans, Byars was the favorite player of a generation. He’s been a little forgotten to new OSU fans, but he was super-talented and came just a whisker away from winning a Heisman.
To this day, many still believe he had the better year and you have to wonder how the voting would have shaken out if what he did took place in today’s game.
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