North Alabama extends three scholarships to BRHS standouts

It was bound to come eventually, but Benjamin Russell defensive lineman Kenderious ‘Poochie’ Byrd now holds his second Division-I football scholarship offer from the University of North Alabama. However, he was not alone on that front: offensive lineman Ike Newell and linebacker Briston Hardy also picked up a UNA offer — the first Division-I offers for both. Byrd led the Wildcats with 10 sacks and 31 tackles for a loss as a junior, Newell was a part of an offense that orchestrated 35.7 points per game and 156.6 rushing yards per game, all the while Hardy is coming off a 128 total tackle season as a junior, including three interceptions and two forced fumbles. Former Wildcat and current Lion, Charles Chappelle, signed with North Alabama on National Signing Day in January.