NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It's Year 4 for Kevin Byard, so it must be time to step into a leadership role.

The 25-year-old -- who is now the NFL's highest-paid safety after reaching an agreement on a five-year, $70.5 million deal with the Tennessee Titans-- wasn't named a team captain in high school until he was a senior, and he didn’t become a team captain at Middle Tennessee State until his fourth year.

Now entering his fourth NFL season, Byard is being more vocal for a team in need of leadership after losing Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan to retirement this offseason.

“I am a veteran now,” Byard said. “I have to speak like a vet and lead the team like a vet. I'm not just a young guy trying to make a name for myself. I've already done that. I have to make sure that I am more vocal because I have a lot to give to this team.”

Titans coaches have already seen Byard's leadership skills surface during OTAs and minicamp. And not just on defense -- he’s encouraging younger guys on the offense to come to him if they have questions about coverage or if they're tipping their routes.

"There are certain guys that have an innate ability to be leaders,” defensive coordinator Dean Pees said. “Kevin’s certainly one of them. He’s taking charge back there. He is very conscientious, and I love that, especially with a safety."

Taking on the burden of responsibility is something Byard had to learn early on.

His parents got divorced when he was 14, which led to a move from Philadelphia to Atlanta with his mother, three brothers and two sisters. He and his older brother had to rush home from high school to help take care of their younger siblings while their mother was working long hours as a waitress to make ends meet.

"That kind of kick-started my maturity being in that position of caring for my little brothers and my little sisters,” Byard said. “It also helped out my leadership."

Byard’s first position was quarterback, but his coach decided to move him to safety for Byard’s senior year of high school.

"The first thing I did was go on YouTube and typed in Brian Dawkins,” said Byard, who grew up in Philly as a big fan of the Eagles safety. “It was a Brian Dawkins Weapon X motivational video. That really got me turned up hearing his pregame speeches, especially that big speech he did after they beat the Falcons in the NFC Championship game. He was one of those guys that I always looked up to as far as leadership.”

"I have to make sure that I am more vocal because I have a lot to give to this team." Titans safety Kevin Byard

Once Byard got to college, Middle Tennessee State head coach Rick Stockstill took notice of the freshman coming in goal-oriented and with a plan. Byard's maturity stood out.

"You saw that leadership and professionalism in him at a young age,” Stockstill said. “His impact on other players was his work ethic and how he approached meetings and days off. His work ethic was very consistent. That's what you want from your leaders. Consistency, knowing you're going to get it every day. He motivated and encouraged guys by his example and vocally."

Former Middle Tennessee State football strength and development coach Jason Spray called Byard, who had had 19 interceptions during his college career, a perfectionist and one of the hardest workers he's ever seen.

"He's a gamer, so he gets the ultimate respect from his teammates because of that. They definitely looked to him. Naturally, guys are attracted to him," added Spray.

Becoming a leader at the NFL level has been a process for Byard. After the Titans drafted him in the third round of the 2016 draft, his goal was to show the veterans that he was not afraid to put in hard work.

"A lot of young guys want to just come in and immediately change the culture," Byard said. "That's not always the way. The way you change the culture is you come in and keep your head down and work. The older guys see that and start to trust you. That's when you can start speaking up."

He had veterans such as DB Jason McCourty as leaders to learn from when he first got to the Titans. Since then, he's made his mark on the field -- no NFL player has more interceptions (12) over the past two seasons -- and now he's gotten the record-breaking contract. The time has come for him to take on that McCourty role for the team.

"It takes time,” Byard said. “You want the guys to know that this guy is a grinder and has the right to speak. That's how I always developed leadership. Now I am in a position where I've made a lot of plays in this league. I want to be more vocal and understand that guys look up to me, and I need to push those guys. We have to play big-time ball, and I have to do whatever I can to make sure we are all on the same page because my guys are depending on me. Not just the secondary, the whole defense."

Byard and other Titans teammates such as Logan Ryan work out with Spray during the offseason. Spray watches closely how the group interacts and sees how Byard has emerged as a presence in the locker room.

"What you get with him as far as in the locker room, the weight room, the training room, in practice ... he's so accountable,” Spray said. “There are a lot of guys who have played this game and have made a little money because they make the coach's job easier. They're a coach away from the coaches. Sometimes there are guys that get paid to keep the locker room afloat. He's a guy that not only keeps guys accountable and keeps the locker room afloat, but he's also a heckuva player. You know exactly what you get with him. He's not going to get into trouble. He's always going to show up early. He's just the lifeline of a team."

Last night #Titans safety Kevin Byard held his 1st FREE youth football camp at Ensworth HS. Teammates Jurrell Casey, Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Tye Smith, Josh Kalu, and Kenneth Durden came to help out along w/trainer Jason Spray. It was a great night for the kids. pic.twitter.com/LIpjT3mNBQ

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) May 11, 2019

Byard has proved to be a leader off the field, too, connecting with kids in the Nashville community. He hosted his first youth football camp, with approximately 150 kids, in May. Several of his Titans teammates stopped by to work with the campers. Byard also hosted an NFL draft watch party with young fans.

Another factor that could help Byard develop into a better leader? Parenthood. He and his wife, Clarke, are expecting a baby girl in September.

"It's crazy because you start thinking about things a lot differently," he said. "It's already changed my life and she hasn't come here yet. It's about setting that example and making sure that I am living the best possible life, getting closer to God. I'm definitely excited."