Former LSU wide receiver Demetrius Byrd is in the intensive care unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami following a car accident Sunday morning.David Dunn, CEO of Athletes First and Byrd’s agent, issued a statement Monday confirming various media reports of the Miami native’s hospitalization.”We are saddened by the news that our good friend and client Demetrius Byrd was involved in a car accident [Sunday] morning,” Dunn said. “He is currently being treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fla., and based on early reports, we are optimistic that he will make a full recovery.” Rumors about the accident first surfaced Sunday night on LSU Web sites and message boards and were confirmed when a report by Aaron Wilson of ProFootballTalk.com listed Byrd in “stable condition” following the accident.Tim Hatten, Byrd’s coach at Pearl River Community College, has been in contact with the Byrd family and said Byrd’s injuries are minimal.”He’s in the ICU because he had a head injury,” Hatten said. “I’ve talked to his mom, who said he’s alert and in good spirits . . . There are no broken bones, and my assumption is he’s in there for observation.”Byrd is one of several LSU players hopeful of being selected in this weekend’s NFL draft. He is considered the No. 22 wide receiver in the draft by Scout.com, and he posted a 4.42-second time in the 40-yard dash March 16 at LSU’s Pro Day.NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier said the accident won’t affect Byrd’s status in Saturday’s draft as long as the injuries are in fact minor.”If the injury isn’t major, it won’t have a big effect on him. But that’s something his representatives will have to clear up before draft time,” Detillier said. “It sounds like he’s just bumped and bruised around, but they still have to go to a doctor, clear that up with the NFL and get all of that information into the hands of all 32 teams by Friday.”Detillier sees Byrd as a fifth-round selection and said the accident hasn’t changed his projection — again assuming Byrd’s injuries are minor.Byrd totaled 35 receptions for 621 yards and seven touchdowns in his first year at LSU and added 37 receptions for 513 yards and four scores last season.LSU fans might best remember Byrd for his last-second touchdown grab against Auburn during the Tigers’ 2007 national championship campaign.”This tragic accident puts in perspective just how fragile life can be,” said LSU coach Les Miles in a news release. “Demetrius is an outstanding young man with a bright future ahead of him. He was a joy to coach, and he brought a great smile and a wonderful attitude to our football team.”Miles and the entire football program wished Byrd a speedy recovery.”He did a great job for us last year. The previous two years he made some big plays for us as we all see,” sophomore quarterback Jarrett Lee said Thursday. “He’s a great player, but he’s also a great dude. I really enjoyed playing with him.” 
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