The strength and conditioning center of Middle Tennessee State's $66 million Student-Athlete Performance Center will be named for former Blue Raider football great and current Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard.

That is after a "significant gift" from Byard to the university's Build Blue Campaign, MTSU announced Tuesday.

“I am super excited about the future of MTSU athletics and the impact that this new facility will have for not only recruiting, but the development of the student athletes,” said Byard, in a release. “I am proud to be an alumnus of this great institution.”

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Per Byard's request, the amount of the contribution was not released.

Byard, a four-year starter for the Blue Raiders from 2012-15, ended his career as the program's all-time leader in interceptions (19), interception return yards (377), interception return touchdowns (4) and is one of just nine players in school history with 300 or more tackles.

A team captain, Byard forced or gained 25 turnovers (19 INTs, 5 fumbles forced, 1 fumble recovered) in 49 career games played.

He had his MTSU jersey retired during the 2022 season.

He recently completed his seventh year with the Titans after being taken as the first pick of the third round of the 2016 draft. The 5-foot-11, 212-pound Byard has made the Pro Bowl twice and has 23 interceptions since 2017, tops among NFL safeties.

"During his time at MTSU, Kevin embodied what a student-athlete is all about in the leadership and high character he displayed in all facets of his life,” said Director of Athletics Chris Massaro. "This generous gift is another demonstration of his leadership, and we are extremely grateful for all that Kevin has done and continues to do for his university. KB was one of the hardest working student athletes we have ever had, and we are proud to carry that legacy for generations to come. We are honored to put his name on the strength and conditioning center.”

MTSU's Build Blue Campaign has secured over $18 million in donor cash, donor pledges and additional funds toward the over $100 million in transformational changes coming to the athletics facilities landscape at MTSU. Over 300 individuals and families have contributed thus far.

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Construction on the $66-million Student Athlete Performance Center is expected to begin this May.

“I can’t thank Kevin enough for what he has done and is doing for Middle Tennessee football,” said MTSU football coach Rick Stockstill. “Kevin will always have a special place in my heart because of the respect, love and appreciation I have for him.”

The three-story, 85,500-square-foot performance center will provide all MTSU student-athletes with new facilities for weight training, nutrition, and sports medicine. It will also be the new home for Blue Raider Football, allowing MTSU to relocate its football operations from Murphy Center to Floyd Stadium. Naming opportunities within the Student Athlete Performance Center and Murphy Center are still available.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Kevin Byard: Tennessee Titans DB's name on MTSU athletic facility