Rivals100 WR Boyd returns from final official

Rivals100 wide receiver Jheranie Boyd took his final official visit this past weekend. The Gastonia (N.C.) Ashbrook receiver made his way to Missouri to check out the Tigers big win over Colorado.

"It went good," he said. "I liked it overall. It was a good visit.

"I got there Saturday morning around 11. I did what you do on a regular official visit, eat, eat and eat. I checked out the campus and hung out with the coaches. We really connected and had a lot of similarities. I had fun."

Boyd was hosted on the trip by wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.

"I went to his house after and hung out with him and Sean Weatherspoon," he said. "It was pretty cool hanging out with them. Everybody was saying hi to us. I talked to a bunch of players about Chase Daniels, Tommy Saunders and they were asking me questions. They talked about how it was really family-oriented there."

A big part of the trip for Boyd was the game against Colorado.

"The game was a blowout, they killed them," he stated. "Every time I go on these visits the team blows out there other team. It happened at Illinois too.

"The coaches basically told me I could make a name for myself like Jeremy has. They want to do what they do with him, put me on the linebacker, on kickoff returns, that is good. I also liked the atmosphere, it was nice."

The No. 32 prospect in the nation spent more time with the coaches.

"I talked to Coach Hill and the quarterbacks coach," he said. "They were showing me the type of offense they run and how they'd move me back and forth.

"Then I talked to Coach Pinkel. He was really cool and a nice guy. He was telling me the same stuff as the assistants, how I'm going to shock the world. He told me I'd play as a true freshman and could get me into the offense quick. That's a big selling point."

One other factor stuck out about the visit.

"I have family in Missouri in St. Louis and I was born in Illinois, so going there would be home. I don't know if that's a factor, but it would be nice."

Boyd has already cut his list to five and now has a date set for an announcement.

"I'm down to Oklahoma, Missouri, North Carolina, NC State and Illinois," he said. "I feel good about my top five and I'll be ready to make a decision on November 6th at 11:30 a.m. They are holding a pep rally for me. It should be a big day."

What will Boyd look at as he evaluates his options?

"Every place says I can play as a true freshman, so I'll look at if they need me," he said. "I'll also see which coaches I have the best relationship with and who provides the best opportunity to play. I do want to get my degree in three and a half years, so I'm going to check out who has the best communications program. I might not make it to the NFL, so I want to be able to land a job on ESPN. It'll come down for me to which head coach can get me to the NFL, that's my main goal. I want a degree and to make it as a pro."