Aldo Giovanni Amato

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

LITHONIA, Ga. — Kevin Byard is staying home in Middle Tennessee after being selected by the Tennessee Titans on Friday in the NFL draft.

Byard was drafted with the 64th overall pick of the third round by the Titans, who worked out the MTSU safety multiple times ahead of the draft.

"It feels great and I'm blessed with this opportunity," said Byard, surrounded by family and friends at his home in Georgia.

With the selection, Byard becomes the first MTSU player drafted since 2014 when Jimmy Staten was taken by the Seattle Seahawks. He's second only to receiver Tyrone Calico as MTSU's highest drafted player. Calico was taken by the Titans with the 60th pick in 2003.

Prior to the draft, the Titans worked out Byard in Murfreesboro. Byard said defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said it was one of the best interviews he had.

"I knew they were interested me and it was a hometown connection," Byard said. "I think it was one of the best picks of the draft."

Byard clutched his phone the entire night in Georgia as teams kept passing him up. When teams started making a run at safeties late in the second round, Byard said he knew it was meant to be.

"When I saw '615' I knew it was Nashville," Byard said of Music City's area code. "It still hasn't sunk in all the way."

Byard immediately hugged his mother, who called the Titans selection "a dream come true."

"I am so proud of my son," Artina Stanley said with tears in her eyes. "I'm kind of giddy. My son is a professional football player."

Byard was a standout player for the Blue Raiders and holds their records for career interceptions (19), interception return yards (377) and interceptions returned for a touchdown (four).

He was a freshman All-American, a three-time Thorpe Award Watch List candidate, a two-time first team all-conference pick and was invited to the 2016 Senior Bowl.

Reach Aldo Amato at 615-278-5109 and on Twitter @Aldo_Amato.