Boyd breaks finalists down
SAN ANTONIO – Tajh Boyd committed to West Virginia and then Tennessee, but neither worked out and now the Hampton (Va.) Phoebus dual-threat quarterback is looking at three other schools with two out in front.
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Boyd said Sunday at U.S. Army All-American Bowl registration that Oregon and Ohio State are leading for his services. Boston College is also in the mix, but the Eagles look to be third on the list. A decision could happen this week but a specific date has not been determined.
"It's been a real rough ride, it's been a headache but it's a good headache to have," Boyd said. "I'm just trying to take my time with my decision and make sure I make the right one. It's basically down to Ohio State and Oregon and probably BC is still in the mix.
"West Virginia was an early decision, but Tennessee, I thought that would be the right place but then they got Lane Kiffin and we didn't really seem to have chemistry so I guess that wasn't the right fit, either. The schools I'm talking to now, they're a bunch of great guys. I feel like whatever school I pick is going to be the right school."
Boyd visited Ohio State the weekend of Dec. 12 and followed it up with a trip to Oregon and both went well. Lack of quarterback depth makes the Buckeyes attractive even with freshman Terrelle Pryor as the starter. Oregon provides an opportunity to play in a wide-open offense, and he was impressed with his visit to Eugene. Clemson is also starting to show interest.
"(Ohio State doesn't) really have any depth at quarterback right now and college is kind of crazy especially for the quarterback because you're only one play away so you never know what's going to happen," Boyd said. "They told me I can come in and compete and that's all I ask for right now.
"Oregon is unique because it's not really huge, but Oregon is pretty hot right now, too. Ohio State and Oregon are kind of even right now. Something is going to have to jump out to me but they're pretty much the same right now."
Boston College was Boyd's first offer in his sophomore year but it seems Ohio State and Oregon are more appealing at this time. Since Boyd has flip-flopped before, the Eagles aren't out of it and he said he'll sit down soon and look over all his options.
"I like the coaches a lot at BC but I'm going to have to sit down and talk about it," he said.
What also makes Boyd an attractive prospect is his well-rounded background. He has joined his mother, Carla, at the Arc of Virginia Peninsula, which aids people with developmental disabilities and their families, volunteering at holiday parties and he also offers mentorship to young athletes at the Virginia Beach Mustang Association.
"My mom works with special needs people, she does it all the time and she's such a nice person and I'm the same way so I try to help people out the same way," Boyd said. "I go in, help her with work and I help with kids in football, too, give them advice.
"We're blessed with opportunities and not everybody has these opportunities and I try to take advantage of them as much as I can."
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