JACKSON, Miss. - Belhaven football seniors
Jimmy Byrd,
Cam Williams and
Kyle Norris have been named to the 2026 C Spire Conerly Trophy Preseason Watch List, C Spire and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum announced earlier this week.
The preseason list features three student-athletes from each four-year football program in Mississippi. Now in its 31st year, the Conerly Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player in the state.
Byrd enters his fourth season with the Blazers after earning All-USA South First Team honors in 2024. The defensive end has totaled 77 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks through his first three seasons at Belhaven.
The Mt. Vernon, Alabama, native recorded career highs with 45 tackles, nine tackles for loss and six sacks as a sophomore. He followed that performance with 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and six quarterback hits across nine games in 2025.
Williams earned a place on the watch list after starting all 10 games at left tackle last season. His work up front earned him USA South All-Conference First Team recognition in his first year with the Blazers.
With Williams protecting the blind side, Belhaven allowed just 17 sacks during the 2025 season, the third-fewest among USA South programs. The Clinton, Mississippi, native joined Belhaven after playing two seasons at Hinds Community College.
Norris, one of the best punters in Division III, is coming off a decorated junior season in which he earned D3football.com All-Region III Second Team and USA South All-Conference First Team honors.
The Gardendale, Alabama, native led the USA South with an average of 43.3 yards per punt. Norris totaled 2,033 yards on 47 punts, sending 12 punts at least 50 yards and placing 12 inside the opponent's 20-yard line. His career-long 65-yard punt came against Brevard.
Norris also handled kickoff duties for the Blazers, recording 23 touchbacks on 49 attempts. He averaged 59.7 yards per kickoff.
The trophy is named in honor of Charlie Conerly, the former Ole Miss quarterback who was named the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1948 and NFL Player of the Year in 1959.
The 31st annual C Spire Conerly Trophy presentation will take place Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum in Jackson.
Belhaven opens the 2026 season tomorrow against Millsaps in the Riverside Rumble. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
