Boyd picks Texas

AUSTIN — It only took three words.

“Texas is Texas,” said Gilmer’s 5-star athlete Kris Boyd when asked why he committed to the Longhorns today in Austin.

It’s been a long journey for Boyd. So let’s start at the beginning. For Kris, playing football is a family tradition at Gilmer High School. So is playing at UT.

Kris is following in the footsteps of cousin Curtis Brown, former All-State performer at Gilmer and All-Big 12 cornerback in Austin (07-10), who also played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His little brother, DE/LB/beast DeMarco Boyd, is a rising star in Gilmer and one of the top recruiting targets for Texas in 2016.

Kris’ recruitment was years in the making. Boyd collected offers from Alabama, LSU, Florida State, Texas A&M, and OU among others. He took visits to Tallahassee, Tuscaloosa, and College Station. He performed well at the Nike Football Training Camp in Houston, leading to an invite to Nike’s The Opening in Oregon, where he was viewed as one of the nation’s best defensive back. He also started in the 2015 Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. He’s had a busy year.

I got a chance to catch up with the newest Texas pledge.

Inside Texas: First of all, congratulations Kris. Tell me why you chose UT.

Kris Boyd: Texas is Texas. The university just has so many opportunities, on and off the football field. I’ve always been a Texas fan. Even though they struggled at the beginning, Charlie Strong is turning things around. Strong will help me become a great football player but also a great man. That’s what’s important. Plus, I love Austin and everything about the school. It’s where I belong.

IT: What is it about Texas?

KB: Everything. I grew up watching the Longhorns. I used to live in Austin (5th grade) with my father before he passed away, and we used to go to games and track meets on campus. It’s a special moment for me and my family. Plus, my cousin Curtis Brown played here. It’s a family tradition to wear the burnt orange.

IT: How did your relationship with current Longhorn Malik Jefferson and newest commit Holton Hill factor in your decision?

KB: It was huge. They are my brothers away from home. Guys I can lean on and trust. I couldn’t imagine building a better foundation at Texas than with those guys.

IT: Do you expect to play early at Texas?

KB: Yes sir. Coach Strong told me to be ready. They like me at nickel and cornerback. Plus special teams. I want to contribute in any way I can.

IT: How did Gilmer HS and coach Jeff Traylor prepare you for college?

KB: It’s a great place to grow up. I’m very blessed to play at Gilmer and for coach Traylor. The teamwork we put in at Gilmer has been big for me. The coaches have helped me develop my skills and also taught me about maturity and sacrifice. I owe my teammates at Gilmer more than anybody.

IT: Your brother, DeMarco, is a big Texas fan. Did he have any influence on your decision?

KB: I always wanted to play with my brother. Any school I chose, I wanted to make sure that was a school that he could potentially play for too. Texas offered us that.

On the field, Kris was virtually unstoppable as evidenced by his insane numbers in 2014. He was a key cog in one of the most prolific offenses in Texas HS history. He tallied 1,052 yards rushing and 22 scores, while adding 808 yards through the air with nine TDs. On defense, his job was to shut down half the field. So he did. To the tune of 41 tackles, two INTs, four PBUs, and 1 fumble recovery. (stats by Clint Buckley, ETSN.fm). He also scored five touchdowns including the game-winner with 19 seconds left to beat Gladewater in the 4A Regional Semifinals last November.

Kris is the 24th member of UT’s Class of 2015. He joins Houston Lamar DB Holton Hill, who committed today as well.

Here’s Kris’ evaluations and highlights ( excerpt from the June 2014 Recruiting Notebook) :

Kris Boyd, DB – Gilmer (6’1, 185) (2015)

Kris Boyd Hudl/highlights and YouTube

How he fits at Texas: Boyd matches the mold for a Charlie Strong corner: quickness+length+physicality. That said, the extra toughness and violence he brings to the game might make him more useful as a dominant nickel who can cover up even the best slot receivers, hold his own against the occasional flex TE, and be a real force and playmaker on the edge against the run. At nickel, Boyd could become for this Texas defense what Aaron Williams was in that role for the legendary 2009 secondary. The new staff clearly has a type when it comes to DB’s, and that’s long, lean, physical athletes who can change direction in the open field and fly up and pop you. Boyd is the best athlete on the board for Texas and would be the best CB landed since Williams. His ability to accelerate in and out of cuts and then change gears on the run will make him a nightmare for Big 12 WR’s. Find four others of comparable physicality and athleticism and Texas will be erasing Big 12 O’s like it’s 2009. – Ian Boyd

Coach says: Explosive athlete, with elite, playmaking abilities. Boyd is right up there with Hill when it comes to laying a claim for being the best defensive back in the state. I remember watching Curtis Brown star on both sides of the ball for Gilmer and the apple didn’t fall far from the family tree with his cousin Kris. This kid could a freaking athlete, could probably make a living on either side of the ball at the next level, but his potential is at its highest on defense. I could see him playing either corner or safety in college, he has versatility for days. That versatility will get him on the field very early at whichever school he signs with, whether that’s in the nickel or it is running down on special teams.

How this affects Texas: Boyd is a lockdown dog. He’s scrappy, aggressive, strong at the point-of-attack, and athletic. That all equals potential greatness. Boyd has major offers from Texas, Florida State, OU, and California among others while Auburn and Michigan should join the offer list soon. Like our Ian Boyd says, Boyd is the answer to Baylor’s WRs. Between DBU member Curtis Brown (his cousin), Austin being close to home, and coach Strong taking over his recruitiment, I feel confident that Boyd inks with Texas come NSD. – Justin Wells