We are still more than six months away from the 2014 NFL Draft but that hasn’t stopped anyone from talking about the upcoming quarterback class. There is still uncertainty about whether Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota or UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley will return to college or enter the draft. But there is no uncertainty when it comes to Clemson’s senior quarterback Tajh Boyd, he will be drafted in May and will hear his name called early.
After redshirting as a freshman in 2009, Boyd saw some action in 2010 getting his first taste of college football. He only completed 33 of his 63 passing attempts with four touchdowns and three interceptions that year as he slowly was groomed for the position. Boyd earned the starting job to open the season in 2011 and has never looked back as he is now midway through his third season as the Tigers’ starting quarterback.
When you take a look at Boyd’s game one of the first things that stands out is his size. He is shorter than most NFL quarterbacks at 6’1” but carries a big, strong frame at 225 pounds. His height is something that will be looked harshly upon by scouts and teams during the evaluation process as shorter quarterbacks have historically struggled in the NFL. Fortunately for Boyd a string of short quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and Michael Vick have helped boost confidence that shorter quarterbacks can succeed. There are still more examples of shorter quarterbacks struggling to succeed in the NFL, but more recent success should help Boyd overcome that belief.
Everyone loves the deep ball and there aren’t many better than Boyd. While Clemson relies heavily on short passes and screens, but every so often you get the chance to see Boyd unleash the cannon. Working with a speedster like Sammy Watkins who can just beat a defense deep and streak down the field, Boyd seems to effortlessly drop the ball right in his hands in stride for big plays. Boyd excels against man coverage because he trusts his wide receiver to get open and he knows he can put it right over the top. He will need to improve on throwing the ball on a line and fitting it into tighter windows, something he most certainly will face at the next level.
Boyd will absolutely be looked at by teams who already or plan to use the read option. While he isn’t a tremendous athlete he has a nice mixture of speed and power. He isn’t afraid to keep the ball and run between the tackles and fight off linebackers, something he loves to do even more inside the red zone. He doesn’t have the speed of a Mariota or Hundley but will have no problem outrunning the defensive line and linebackers. If he meets a safety in the open field it will be like facing a fullback for the safety and that’s a battle he is usually going to lose.
My concern for Boyd is his durability after all the hits he has taken in his career. In four seasons he has carried the ball 417 times and the 2013 season still isn’t over. Then when you add in sacks and hits even after he has released the football, they are starting to add up quickly.
Boyd has no problem sitting inside the pocket and letting the play develop, but there are still some issues he needs to fix. The same concern I have for Boyd’s future durability is a reason why I love him against pressure, he isn’t afraid to step right into the hit as long as it means he can make the throw and connect with his receiver. Boyd has no fear and doesn’t cave to pressure, something many young quarterbacks tend to struggle with and a big reason why they have short careers. He also can handle pressure because of his quick release, even when serious pressure comes he can get the ball out fast and not take the sack. Where Boyd needs to improve is with his feet and making sure he sets them before he throws. When he doesn’t set his feet the ball isn’t on point and his accuracy goes down. If he can continue to improve on setting his feet and stepping into his throws you will see his accuracy really start to improve.
A point many like to make when arguing against Boyd is that he benefits from great wide receivers and he doesn’t have to play against great secondaries. I will admit Watkins is an elite wide receiver prospect and DeAndre Hopkins was a first-round pick last year but Boyd deserves more credit. He has built chemistry with his wide receivers and trusts them to make tough catches. He has confidence in Watkins to make the big plays and what some might see as “risky” or “ill-advised” throws are at times throws where he knows his wide receiver can make the play.
There will always be questions about the level of competition for players who don’t play in the SEC or Pac-12. But when you watch the throws he makes, the athleticism, confidence and improving ball placement, he has proven he is a legitimate quarterback. He will face a great test this week against the Florida State Seminoles but when he comes out on top, don’t be surprised if more people start becoming believers in his NFL future.
It isn’t talked about often outside of the draft but there is a difference between a player’s talent grade and where he will likely end up being drafted. A lot of that has to do with the needs of each team and the type of scheme they run. A player may be considered to be a first-round talent but falls because teams in the late end of the first round don’t need a quarterback or a team does but he doesn’t fit their system.
I really like Boyd’s arm, athleticism and toughness but he still needs to improve with his ball placement and throwing motion need improvement. Boyd is in an offense where he has to make quick reads and throws and often goes with his first read. He needs to continue to show he can read the offense and make progressions and that he can make adjustments while looking downfield. He is an early second-round talent but could push his way late into the first if a team like the Houston Texans were to trade up for him. Boyd has a bright future as a starting quarterback in the NFL and should be the first senior quarterback off the board.