Boyd will submit paperwork and consider NFL

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Wed Nov 28 17:21:30 GMT-04:00 2012

CLEMSON – Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd Tajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile said Wednesday afternoon that he would submit his paperwork for the NFL Draft, and once all of the information is gathered he would sit down with his family and coaches and make the best decision in regards to whether he comes back for a senior season or enters the draft.

Boyd made the comments during a press conference where he talked about not only being named a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, and the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year.

“That is one of those deals where I am going to submit my paperwork and consider it,” Boyd said. “I haven’t made a decision yet, but when I get my paperwork back I will sit down with my coaches and parents and those closest to me and talk about it and make the best decision possible. But there is still no decision yet.”

Boyd said there was no round number or draft spot that would be the tipping point in whether he enters the draft or stays for his final year.

“I haven’t really thought about a certain round or anything of that nature,” he said.

Boyd led the ACC in passing efficiency (168.5), total offense (336.8), yards per pass attempt (9.42), touchdown passes (34) and touchdowns rushing and passing (43). He had three games in which he threw five touchdown passes and had six 300-yard passing games. He set a Clemson record with 529 yards of total offense against NC State, and broke the ACC mark for touchdowns rushing and passing with eight in that same game.

Boyd is in his second year as a starter and has taken the Tigers to consecutive 10 win seasons, the first Clemson quarterback to do that since 1987-88 when Rodney Williams quarterbacked the Tigers to consecutive 10-2 seasons. Boyd is now seventh in Clemson history in wins with 20.

Boyd’s 168.5 passing efficiency is a Clemson record and on pace to be the fourth best season in ACC history. His 34 touchdown passes have also tied the ACC record set by Philip Rivers, who had 34 in 2003.

Boyd said learning about the first-team designation and winning the conference player of the year award made for a pretty good day.

“It’s been a really good day, and I am just blesses to have these opportunities and represent the university in the best way possible,” he said. “There have been a lot of congratulations and things of that nature – and smiling – going on.”

Boyd said winning the awards is an honor.

“It was just an exciting moment to know how other people feel about you, especially heading into bowl season,” he said. “It’s been a pretty good week so far; it doesn’t necessarily take away from the feeling of the game, but it has been a fun week.”

He said he knew he would have a chance at some honors, but was more excited that he shared first-team all-conference honors with five of his teammates.

“I thought I would have a pretty good chance,” he said. “But I am just excited to have a chance to go down there and represent Clemson in a great way. As a program, we were excited to hear that we had six guys on the first team, and that capped off the season pretty nicely. It was exciting news. We put in a lot of work into the offseason, and this was a great reward. It lets you know that hard work doesn't go unrewarded.”