Elite Athlete Boyd Looking For Roster Spot
May 15th, 2013
If rookie Bucs camp meat? wide receiver Jheranie Boyd was at the NFL Scouting Combine, he would have turned heads during the glorified track meet.
But Boyd wasn’t there. He fell off the radar after being stifled by an ankle injury during his senior season at the University of North Carolina last year. The big receiver made up for it at his Pro Day and landed with the Bucs.
Former Ashbrook standout and University of North Carolina senior Jheranie Boyd continues to maintain his dream of playing in the NFL. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound wide receiver has plenty of reason to be optimistic after he impressed scouts and draft-evaluators at UNC’s recent pro day this past week.
Boyd posted a 41.5-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot broad jump. Both of those numbers would have tied him for second-best among all receivers at the NFL combine.
The quote above is from a feature on Boyd in the Gaston Gazette, which references Boyd’s 4.4 second time in the 40-yard dash.
There’s little doubt Boyd arrived in Tampa with a nod from former Tar Heels head coach Butch Davis, Greg Schiano’s somewhat covert advisor. Boyd did have a rare stat in college. Of his 44 career receptions, a whopping 13 were for touchdowns.
Joe has scant interest in little-known roster hopefuls, but there are spots to be won at wide receiver, and at least Boyd has the raw talent to play in the NFL.
May 15th, 2013 at 3:29 pm
Can never have enough big body wide receivers..especially when you have an inaccurate quarterback.
May 15th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
This is the guy that caught my attention when signed. Not only is he exceptionally athletic, our wideout position past Mike Williams and V-Jax is open like you said.
Not saying he makes it but I can’t wait to hear reports on him from camp.
May 15th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
He also averaged more than 19 yards a catch which fits right in with what we like to do.
May 15th, 2013 at 3:35 pm
I think Boyd and the kid from Mount Union could be better options than Smith or Ogletree.
May 15th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
That name alone, (Jheranie Boyd) sounds like a star in the NFL! Good read….I have never felt so good about a UFA/camp body type player but I feel optimistic about Boyd!
May 15th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
I like Denton’s attitude (Mount Union) and I know measurables shouldn’t be used to completely asses a guy but his size and speed added with the fact he’s coming from a lower level college division has me questioning whether he can get it done in the NFL.
But you never know, a guy as motivated as him might just pull it off and obviously the Bucs like something about him or they wouldn’t have brought him back.
May 15th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
I think Jheranie Boyd, Rashaan Melvin, Deveron Carr and Jace Daniels have a good chance of making the final 53. Not all four but one or two I could definitely see making it out of that group with the others making the practice squad. The Bucs’ depth is stronger this year all the way down the roster, including UDFA’s.
May 15th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
Like the measurables… Good luck to you mr boyd. Also is it just me or is he about to fumvle in this picture
May 15th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
The quoted article misstates Boyd’s height. He’s a hair over 6’1″, might be pushing 6’2″ if the man with the tape is feeling generous. Still has good size, but is not 6’4″.
May 15th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
I don’t care how he looks during practice. A kid that tall and that fast has to deserve a roster spot if a scrub like Myron Lewis has hanged around for so long.
Anyways, Boyd looks like a decent enough talent. No scouting reports on him for NFL draft, but there is a scouting report of him out of high school when colleges were trying to recruit him. Here it goes:
“There is an awful lot to like about this guy. Boyd has very good size, excellent top end speed and he’s a playmaker. He shows very good awareness and feel for the position. Is a sound route runner for a younger player. Has a feel for coverages and is competent versus both zone and man coverage. Plays very hard and works at it. Size is every good, has the frame to really muscle up and he shows very good acceleration and the ability to make something happen after the catch. Reaches top speed quickly, is smooth and fluid both in and out of his cuts and also after the catch. Moves like a smaller wide receiver in terms of quickness and acceleration. He shows excellent body control on the jump ball and the sideline awareness you want downfield. A great leaper. Adjusts extremely well to poorly thrown passes and is always attacking the football– is a hand catcher, not a body guy. He could develop into a legitimate vertical threat because of his size/speed combination. Shows great confidence in his ability to catch the football whether he is covered or running wide open, his focus is very strong. The thing that is a bit odd about Boyd’s running style is that he runs on his heels which gives him an awkward appearance when in the open field. He is not overly physical yet, but he could be because he is tough and he will work the middle of the field, but time in the weightroom will really help him. Overall, Boyd is just a really good football player with good instincts and awareness for the position.”
May 15th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
he doesn’t WOW you in any way, but he is a solid play making WR. for that reason alone I dont think he makes the roster because we have plenty of receivers like that, but I could be wrong. One thing I do like about him is that he always seems to get separation from the CB thats covering him, which is great asset for a WR.
May 15th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
He also seems to be separating from the ball in the above picture, not good.
May 15th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
heres a cool video of him talking about becoming a buc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmeRiI2Zt6o
May 15th, 2013 at 5:07 pm
What’s so great about 41.5″ jump. I had a 44″ horizontal in college.
‘
May 15th, 2013 at 5:11 pm
terraj you are still as dumb as usual
May 15th, 2013 at 5:22 pm
@Andrew 1 – I think when looking at he will be competing against for the 5 or 6 wide out spots, its hard to rule him out completely. I think Wood sticks because he’s familiar with the Bucs game and supposedly we were pretty high on Ogletree but everyone else is going to have to fight for that 5th or maybe 6th spot.
May 15th, 2013 at 5:28 pm
Illuminati is illuminating on Jheranie’s height.
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=89502&draftyear=2013&genpos=WR
May 15th, 2013 at 6:44 pm
Fans that watched the combine know UNC players showed up well prepared. This is just another story to follow through OTA’s, but on a personal note: I love watching this team get bigger, and more physical at several positions. I’ve heard the lip service, but now I’m seeing some action towed that goal.
May 15th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
Illuminati Says:
May 15th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
The quoted article misstates Boyd’s height. He’s a hair over 6’1″, might be pushing 6’2″ if the man with the tape is feeling generous. Still has good size, but is not 6’4″.
________
That is exactly what I was thinking. He showed up to his Pro Day at 6’1 1/8″ That is a far cry from 6’4″. Irresponsible journalism to say the least. He is an interesting prospect… but a huge longshot to make the active roster. He is an outside the numbers type WR, not a slot guy. The Bucs need a slot guy, or two, and considering Boyd has done very little in his college career in terms of special teams, I just don’t see him making it as a 4th or 5th WR that doesn’t play special teams. We’ve already got a 6’1 180 burner that doesn’t play special teams (Underwood) and it seems highly doubtful that he makes the squad as well.
Still, Boyd has a bit of toughness in him… he’s only caught 44 passes in his career (13 for TDs) but he’s run the ball 39X for 238 yards (and a TD). He’ll be interesting to watch and see if he can transition to the NFL and be a contributor.
May 15th, 2013 at 11:09 pm
He has all preseason to make his case. The preseason where dreams can become reality for some UFA’s but a harsh reality for most. Especially when the coach only sees them as just camp bodies from the get go. The UFA’s have to work harder to turn heads than the drafted players. I’m sure a lot of walk- ons have slipped through the cracks because GM’s are hell bent on making sure their draft class makes the roster.
May 16th, 2013 at 2:18 am
Damn he sounds like CALVIN JOHNSON here!
May 16th, 2013 at 2:27 am
I’ve been trying to figure out who Mike Glennon reminded me of, and I think I’ve figured it out.
He reminds me of a very young Brad Johnson. (?)
May 16th, 2013 at 8:32 am
Seems they found a nice replacement for Benn and didn’t even have to burn a 2nd rounder. We can only dream his production can match his potential, however as a free agent out of college his first goal is to make the 53 man roster.
May 16th, 2013 at 11:40 am
@Jeff – thats what I was thinking. He eerily reminds me of Benn. Bucs hit the reset button and are going to see if this kid can realize his potential which is something Benn never did.