Positive: Nice sized cornerback who is best facing the action. Solid athlete, strong at the point, and forceful up the field defending the run. Fights hard to defend passes and plays with physicality.
Negative: Poor footwork moving in reverse and prefers to side shuffle down the field. Displays marginal recovery speed and average ball skills.
Analysis: Maxwell is a size/speed prospect who struggled to break into the starting lineup early in his college career. He has the underlying skill to play in the NFL but may be effective only in a zone system so he can face the action."
Negatives: Never really had great statistical production at Clemson, only recorded 151 tackles and four interceptions in four years in college... Not as good of a man-to-man corner as he is zone defender, needs to work on changing directions more suddenly, fluidity is marginal... Plays a little out of control at times, is sometimes a little too aggressive... Looks a little stiff in the hips, overall footwork needs improvement... Lack of good man-to-man coverage skills is most glaring issue, does well in press coverage, but overall technique needs work."
He redshirted at Clemson in 2006, before playing as a reserve CB in 2007 and tallying 27 tackles, (21 solo) and four pass breakups and a sack.
In 2008, Byron continued in a backup role, but became known as a key ST tackler. In 2009, he saw action in all 14 games with 36 tackles, 1 TFL and 5 PBUs.
In 2010, Byron finally started some games (7) while participating in the other 5, and tallied 46 total tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1 interception and 6 other PBUs.
Byron acquitted himself well at the practices for the Texas v. The Nation game (2/5/11) and did well in the game itself.
Strengths: Long and strong. Has the ability to jam receivers at the LOS. Has very good makeup speed. Has some ST value on kick coverage. Has some upside. Could be one of those late bloomer types who has a better pro than college career.
Weaknesses: Has never lived up to expectations as Clemson. Is a bit of a S/CB tweener with below average "quick twitch" and COD for a CB, and below average power and striking ability for a safety. Jack-of-all-trades type, who needs a lot of refinement in CB play, and may never pan out.
Projection: 6-7th rounder who may be over-drafted due to his height."