Virginia Union University football fans can take a deep breath. Jada Byers is staying put.

Resisting any temptation to venture elsewhere, the running back is committed to VUU and helping Coach Alvin Parker’s Panthers return to the NCAA playoffs.

“Jada is the face of our program, the team spokesman and involved in helping our recruiting,” said Coach Parker. “He’s a staple; he’s not going anywhere.”

The swift, elusive Byers is arguably the top attraction in all of Division II football. As a sophomore, the New Jersey native rushed for 1,920 yards and 19 touchdowns, earning CIAA Player of Year and first-team All-American honors.

In two seasons on Lombardy Street, Byers has 2,830 yards on the ground with 31 rushing TDs. He would have been an attractive addition for just about any school in the nation.

The extremely active NCAA portal now allows athletes to transfer without sitting out a season. That makes it easy to jump ship, but Byers likes life at Hovey Field. It also helps VUU will return most of the stalwarts from last year’s powerful offensive line.

“Jada was third in the Harlan Hill voting (for top player in Division II) and the two ahead of him have graduated,’ said Coach Parker.

“That says to me he’s the best player in the country.”

It helps that Byers has received an NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal at VUU, providing com- pensation beyond room, board and tuition.

Other Panthers with NIL’s include All-CIAA offensive lineman Justin Meade (from J.R. Tucker High) and place kicker extraordinaire Brady Myers from Florida.

Time to pop pads: VUU will conclude spring drills Saturday, April 15, with the annual “Panthers vs. Union” intrasquad game at Hovey. Coach Parker guarantees victory.

Returning from last year’s 9-2 squad will be seven starters on both offense and defense and both kickers (Myers and punter Marvin Holmes).

There is a hole to fill at quarterback. Jahkari Grant has moved on after passing for 1,916 yards and 18 TDS in 2022. Grant also ran for 346 yards before sack deductions.

Likely replacements include Christian Reid from Georgia and Floridian R.J. Rosales. Filling in for Grant last year, Reid hit eight of 12 passes for 74 yards and four TDS.

Other QB candidates, including transfers and incoming freshmen, could enter the fray when summer drills begin in August.

Denmark to Richmond: Among the freshmen will be 6-foot-5, 300-pound Mathias Nielson from the Scandinavian nation.

Coach Parker alluded to “a lot of connections along the way” in luring the offensive lineman to Virginia.

“People are going to be surprised to see him,” Coach Parker said.

National exposure: The Panthers will open their 2023 season Sept. 3 (a Sunday) against Morehouse College of Atlanta in the NFL Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

The HBCU contest will be televised on the NFL Network. VUU’s home opener in 2023 won’t be until Sept. 23 when reigning CIAA champ Fayetteville State comes to Hovey for the Willard Bailey Classic.

VUU’s regular season finale against Virginia State on Nov. 4 will be titled the L. Douglas Wilder Classic.