McBryde named 4A Lineman of the Year

Charles Henderson linebacker Richard McBryde might have been in his Sunday best at the Alabama Sports Writer’s Association awards banquet, but it wasn’t because he expected to win anything.

But McBryde left the banquet with some new hardware for his bedroom wall.

The junior linebacker claimed the ASWA 4A Lineman of the Year award Wednesday afternoon.

“To be one of 14 guys across the state to get an award today is amazing,” McBryde said. “There were 42 great football players there, and I am just humbled by folks picking me as the best. It truly means a lot.”

McBryde, a junior, was the quarterback of the Trojan defense that averaged giving up just 15.5 points per game. McBryde finished with team-high 163 tackles and 10 sacks.

Charles Henderson assistant coach Phillip Jones said McBryde’s accomplishments are a good thing for the player and for the Charles Henderson program.

“We, the coaches, congratulate Richard on a great season,” Jones said. “He works hard every day, and deserves the award he received. It is good thing for him personally, and also a good thing for our program. We look forward to helping him progress over the next year.”

McBryde beat out Dora’s A.J. Smoot and Oneonta’s Blake Bean for the award.

“I got to see both of these guys play this year, and they are great football players,” said McBryde. “It means that much more to me to win it, because I know first hand how good Smoot and Bean are.”

McBryde is on numerous college radars but said he isn’t making any decision for the next few months. He is content to “sit back and watch it all play out.”

So what does the 6 foot, 2 inch, 210 pound linebacker do for an encore next season?

Simple, do it again.

“I know I need to get bigger and faster,” said McBryde. “I cant get complacent now. I would love to win the award again, and maybe take home the Mr. Football honor too. It has been a little while sense a defensive guy has done it, so that would be great. But I know nothing will be handed to me. It’s time for me to get back to work.”