Pitt WR Tyler Boyd: NFL Draft Prospect Of The Day
Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Tyler Boyd might be the best wide receiver in the country going into the 2015 season.
As a sophomore for the Panthers, Boyd caught 78 passes for 1,261 yards and 8 touchdowns, and he also contributed as a kick returner (over 27 yards per return), punt returner, and he took some carries out of the backfield. Oh, and by the way, he also completed a 29 yard pass and had two tackles on the season.
This guy is just a straight up great football player, and that’s why he’s the prospect of the day. There’s really no special occasion for it, I just really enjoy watching him play and I think you will too. Here’s a regular season highlight from the 2014 season, which is over 12 minutes long. It won’t feel like 12 minutes, though.
Boyd’s versatility is impressive, but it’s the way he plays the receiver position that has me blown away. As a sophomore, he already runs a really developed route tree. He seems to have a great feel for intermediate routes, and he knows how to make defensive backs look silly when he is releasing from the line of scrimmage as well as after the catch.
He really appears to be the total package. Take a look at this cutup of his game against the Houston Cougars from last season.
His ability to high-point the ball, to make strong hands catches in traffic, and to just flat out make guys miss are all ridiculous traits that will only continue to get better as he gets older.
Speed, hands, route running, the ability to control his body in different situations, run after the catch ability, field vision — Boyd really just has it all.
Just watch that highlight reel and marvel at the kind of talent this kid already has, and then think about how good he will be when he grows into his frame, gets stronger, wiser, and learns more nuances of the game of football.
This is a superstar in the making.