Where is Tajh Boyd Likely To Go?

Submitted by jokenjin on

So Boyd played a pretty damn good game today (yesterday) and I know that we'd be interested in him. I feel like we'd be a great fit for him but according to a Rivals.com article, it seems as if we're not even on his list. Personally, I don't see why he would choose one of the three aforementioned schools for the following reasons:

1. Oregon - have very good depth at quarterback and all the injured players will return
2. Boston College - virtually no supporting cast and they run an extremely pro style offense; also have a young quarterback coming back next year
3. Ohio State - Pryor

However, I can also name good reasons why he would choose those schools as well (save BC)
1. Oregon - see below regarding Brown.
2. Ohio State - would have a great supporting cast and great offensive line to protect him

Now, I heard during the game that he had a knee injury or something and that was keeping him low on some radars, but the kid can play. Yes, defenses were very vanilla and coverages will be way harder in college and also he was throwing to a great RB in Bryce Brown, but overall I think he has the best chance to succeed at Michigan, at least for PT. This is not saying that he's going to start right away, but competition brings out the best in everyone and I'd like to see someone give Tate a run for his money before we assume he's going to be the starting quarterback next year.

My dark horse guess, though, would be Oregon. Apparently Brown is having second thoughts about committing to the U, even though his brother is there and has stated that he is interested in what Oregon has to offer. Since they had great chemistry, I think if Brown switched to Oregon, he could very well draw Boyd there as well.

Tom - have you heard anything between us and Boyd? Are we even communicating with each other?

Side note - McNeal to Clemson? NEVER saw that one coming. Did he ever mention Clemson in any of the articles?

Craven Morehead

January 4th, 2009 at 9:20 AM ^

announcers yesterday mentioned he played all season with TORN ACL. Where ever he goes, I am going to assume he will RS his first year to let his knee heal. And I don't see UM getting this guy though I understand that UM is now going after him, if I am not mistaken. A long shot if you ask me.

tpilews

January 4th, 2009 at 10:54 AM ^

kicker Brendon Gibbons is the one that started the Tajh Boyd rumor, because he said in an interview he was talking to Boyd and and Boyd said Michigan was talking to him and he is really interested. Boyd has one more visit he can take and Clemson thought they were going to get him, but Michigan might get the visit instead. RR told Tate when Beaver decommitted that they were going to try to get another qb in this class and it would be a qb that could be moved to another position, if they were better fit, which would seem to indicate that they prefer Denard Robinson, but that they are not putting all their eggs in the Denard Robinson basket.

AMazinBlue

January 4th, 2009 at 11:06 AM ^

That he doesn't want to be a running quarterback. He wants to be more of a dropback guy. Hence, the reason he doesn't have M on his list. Because of that, I doubt he'll choose Oregon for the same reaosn. I think Boston College is an option for that reason as I think he will unfortunately choose OSU. The Vest is very good at adapting his offense to whichever kind of QB he has.

I think he could kick ass at Michigan, but this last season proved that RR doesn't really adapt his offense to the QB's skills. Making a 6-5 guy a running QB doesn't seem to to suit his talent. I see Boyd in more of a Florida or Oklahoma style spread where the QB can run if needed, but is minly there to pass and make reads.

Magnus

January 4th, 2009 at 11:12 AM ^

What "skills" did our quarterbacks have in 2008 that he was supposed to adapt his offense to? What's Threet's strength - throwing downfield inaccurately, throwing short inaccurately, or running the ball and getting hit really hard?

MGoEOD

January 4th, 2009 at 12:09 PM ^

Threet couldn't accurately throw a bubble screen without the receiver having to stop and turn around. Without a downfield passing threat there were really no other options.

In all fairness to RR he never had the athletes at his disposal to unveil his "master plan". Everyone assumes he wants another Pat White. Pat White was a DB turned into a QB. I know RR favors mobile QBs making the defense account for them, but he also appreciates a downfield threat, especially since he was never able to recruit one to WV.

I grew up in WV watching him turn WVU around and I think his offense WAS adapted to Pat White, it wasn't built off of him.

If he can make a DB a 4-year bowl winning QB at WV (including 2 BCS bowls), imagine what he can do with a few actual QB recruits...

WanderingWolve

January 4th, 2009 at 4:52 PM ^

Our qbs' limitations are well known and have been agonized over repeatedly here and I think we have seen RR's offense was not what it will be in the future. I think Shaun King and Woody Dantzler are evidence of RR's ability to adapt to his qb. I believe RR would have adapted to Mallett if he had decided to stay.

Jay

January 4th, 2009 at 8:16 PM ^

You shoud read TomVH's interview with Tate Forcier. Tate seems to think that we will se alot more running from the QB position with him playing next season. I think people are fooling themselves if they think we're going to become Oklahoma or Texas Tech and start winging it all over the field and not see the QB keepers on the read option. RR has stated numerous times that the zone read is an integral part of his offense. It's not going anywhere.

MGoEOD

January 4th, 2009 at 8:33 PM ^

I'm not doubting that. In fact that's kind of my point. I think there were parts of the playbook we didn't see due to Pat Whites inability to run certain (pass) plays. I'm speculating that when RR has a true QB recruit (who can run) the field will be wide open. I'm thinking (dreaming) a WVU/OU hybrid.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not taking anything away from Pat White. I'm just saying he wasn't being recruited as a QB. RR adapted to his strengths. I expect him to do the same with anyone he recruits and now he actually gets to recruit QBs, not SEC DBs.

Again, this is just speculation on my part but I can't wait nonetheless.

Blue Balls

January 4th, 2009 at 11:10 AM ^

be surprised if Taji selected Michigan. This is a good player and was shocked that Michigan wasn't making more of an effort to get him. With the "reported" torn acl, this makes sense why Michigan hasn't made the effort. With Devin Gardner in the wings and Denard Robinson a guy that could play QB or defensive back, I'd think that Michigan would go after Denard as we need both defensive backs and a QB. Has anyone heard anymore about QB -Cotton?

Magnus

January 4th, 2009 at 11:14 AM ^

The torn ACL doesn't give a reason not to go after him. The fact that Boyd wants to be a dropback passer is more of a reason to put the full-court press on someone else.

If he has surgery, he'll sit out a year and probably be ready to go. Meanwhile, we'd have Threet, Forcier, and Sheridan. I admit that's not a recipe for an undefeated season, but I doubt Rodriguez is saying, "Oh, he can't play next year. Let's get someone else."

wolverine1987

January 4th, 2009 at 12:07 PM ^

we can afford to be choosy about a guy with a knee injury because he may RS next year is ludicrous to me. We need TALENT in quantity, and the fact that Gardner may come is not a reason not to pursue this guy. Despite the wide open passes, he was accurate and his release was terrific, and was the best QB on the field. I'm sure RR is pursuing him, but for the reasons stated elsewhere its a longshot.

West Texas Blue

January 4th, 2009 at 12:48 PM ^

Tajh Boyd is not coming to Michigan. I repeat, Tajh Boyd is not coming to Michigan. Let it go, people. Our only options left at this point is either Denard Robinson or a lower rated dual-threat QB.

Sommy

January 4th, 2009 at 2:32 PM ^

I don't understand why everyone is so convinced that Gardner is coming here. In all likelihood, it sounds like it will be quite a long shot to get Gardner based on what he's said in interviews.

The Other Brian

January 4th, 2009 at 8:42 PM ^

FWIW, Brendan Gibbons told Sam Webb that he talked to "that Boyd kid" during the week at the Army game and he said that Boyd is interested in what Michigan has to say.

I don't really trust kickers though.

baleedat

January 5th, 2009 at 1:44 PM ^

What's the deal with Rollison? All I know is that he looked pretty good in the AAA game, and he's still uncommitted. Was UM ever talking to him?