2011: 2011: Started six of 11 games played at
tight end ... had one catch for 10 yards ... key member of the unit that helped ISU rush
for 183.4 yards per game, up from 131 yards per game last year ... part of the protection
team that allowed just six sacks on the season, which ranked the group No. 3 in the country
in fewest sacks allowed ... helped Ashton Leggett become the first Redbird running back to
rush for over 1,000 yards since 2006.
2010: Played in all 11 games, with seven starts at tight end ... hauled
in a pass in six of 11 games played ... caught six passes for 80 yards on the season ...
averaged 13.3 yards-per-catch ... hauled in a season-long 25-yard pass in the win over
Missouri State ... had one catch for 20 yards at No. 19 UNI.
2009: Saw action in 10 games ... caught 10 passes for 148 yards and a
touchdown ... averaged 14.8 yards per catch ... caught at least one pass in each of the
last six games for the Redbirds ... grabbed two passes for 17 yards at Illinois ... hauled
in a season-long 38-yard touchdown pass on a tipped ball as time expired before halftime to
help ISU to a win at Missouri State ... tallied two catches at Youngstown State and against
No. 9 Northern Iowa.
At College of DuPage: Played one season and had 60 catches for 618
yards and seven touchdowns ... a second-team all-region selection ... named team MVP, most
valuable offensive player and most skilled player in 2008 ... was the offensive team
captain ... coached by Fred Timbles.
At Northern Illinois: Was a recruited walk-on as a freshman ...
redshirted during the 2007 season ... coached by Joe Novak ... transferred to College of
DuPage for the spring 2008 semester.
Glenbard West HS: Rated as a two-star recruit by Scout.com ... a
two-time all-area and all-conference selection ... an all-junior state team honoree as a
junior ... named team captain senior year ... also played basketball ... his high school
basketball team went 22-8 senior year and played in the Illinois High School Association
(IHSA) Super-Sectional game ... Glenbard West was a regional and sectional champion his
senior year ... teammate of current Illinois State football player Kane Keirnan ... coached
by John Karpowicz.
Personal: Born February 17, 1988, in Oak Park, Ill. ... son of Elmer
Venson and Jammie Byrd ... one of three children ... his uncle, Keith Venson, played
football at Alabama State ... major: undeclared.
