Byrd, Gates move on to the next level in August

The Itawamba Community College’s football program sends two more players to the next level as Allen Byrd (Meridian) and Chakel Gates (Calhoun City) will join new squads in August.

July 25, 2016

Byrd, Gates move on to the next level in August
Lee Adams/LetsGoICC.com

FULTON, MS – The Itawamba Community College's football program sends two more players to the next level as Allen Byrd (Meridian) and Chakel Gates (Calhoun City) will join new squads in August.

Byrd will head northwest to join the Arkansas State University program while Gates heads south to become a member of the Mississippi College Choctaws.

Byrd, a 6-foot, 220-pound offensive lineman spent two seasons in the trenches for the Indians and started every game of his sophomore campaign at center. During his time in the red and blue, Byrd and his fellow lineman led the Indians to 196 rushing yards per game in 2014 and 187.9 2015.

Gates heads to the next level after only one season at ICC. The 5-foot-11 180-pound defensive back saw action in seven games last season picking up two tackles. Gates excelled in the classroom with GPA higher than 3.60 that earned him recognition from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) as an Exemplary Academic Achievement Award recipient.

Byrd will join former Indian and fellow offensive lineman Joseph Bacchus at Arkansas State and Gates will join former Indians Anfernee Brand, Brandon Windham and Sharone Wright at Mississippi College.

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