2014 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson Tigers

Dec 31, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) passes the ball to teammate Andre Ellington (23) in the second half against the LSU Tigers in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Clemson won 25-24. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 225 pounds

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Scouting Report/Player Notes

Big time playmaker at the quarterback position who is drawing comparisons to Russell Wilson for his athletic ability and diverse skills offensively. Capable of making every throw and has great speed and quickness to make plays outside the pocket. Looks like he could be an ideal fit for the pistol style offenses that are taking the NFL by storm. Viewed by many as the number one prospect at the QB position in the country, and certainly one of the most productive and proven quarterbacks at the college level heading into his senior season. I think if he had come out after his junior season, he would have been heavily scrutinized but could very well have been the first QB selected over Florida State’s EJ Manuel. Doesn’t have the greatest size combination at 6’1″ 225 pounds and likely a bit shorter than that, but definitely doesn’t affect him on the field.

One of the things I noted about him going into his junior season was that he needed to improve his decision making with the ball, completing less than 60 percent of his passes, and he did just that. He improved his completion percentage to 67.2 percent and threw for even more yards and touchdowns with fewer passing attempts than a season before.

The main reason why this guy will be a first round pick is his toughness and ability to make a throw under pressure. His deep ball to DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans 2013 first round pick) in the opening minutes against Florida States is one of the gutsiest throws you will see from a quarterback. He stood tall in the pocket, fired to a spot downfield, and put his receiver in a position where he could make a big play. Six points. This is a very impressive quarterback prospect who has the look of a top 10 selection, and I think he will also contend for the number one pick. If he isn’t contending for the number one pick, it’s likely because of some kind of injury or flaw that develops over the course of his senior season, similar to what we saw happen to Matt Barkley.

Top notch footwork and pocket awareness that will only get better with another year on campus at Clemson. One area I would really like to see him improve is taking sacks. I realize he is a mobile quarterback, and so teams are gunning for him behind the line of scrimmage, but he has taken 62 sacks over the last two seasons. That’s far too many considering how often he also gets hit running the football on designed option plays and things like that.

Bottom line–I think Boyd is a sure-fire first rounder if he can prove that his junior season was not a fluke and that he has really improved as a passer. This is a guy who makes good decisions and offers a ton of versatility to an NFL offense. I think he has big time potential as a starter in the NFL.

Career Highlights (via Clemson athletics)

2011:  Honorable Mention All-American by SI.com…one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award…one of 16 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award…added to the Manning Award Watch List in October…First-Team All-ACC selection…first-team All-ACC by CBSSports.com, ESPN.com, and Phil Steele…was 298-499 passing for 3,828 yards and 33 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 997 snaps over 14 games (14 starts)…completed 59.7 percent of his passes and had a 141.2 pass efficiency rating…had 218 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns…had 4,046 total yards and was responsible for a ACC-record 38 touchdowns…first in school history in passing yards, first in completions, first in passing attempts, first in passing touchdowns, first in total offense, second in passing yards per game (273.4), second in total offense per game (289.0), sixth in passing efficiency, and ninth in completion percentage…10th in the nation in passing yards, tied for 13th in points responsible for per game (16.9), 18th in total offense per game, and 20th in passing yards per game…first in the ACC in total offense per game, first in passing yards per game, and fourth in passing efficiency…had a streak of 142 consecutive passes without an interception from the Troy game on Sept. 3 to the Virginia Tech game on Oct. 1

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Video Highlights (via YouTube)