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Boyd to Return for Senior Year at Clemson

Boyd to Return for Senior Year at Clemson

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd announced Wednesday that he will return to program for his senior year.  Boyd has quarterbacked the Tigers to consecutive seasons of at least 10 wins, a first for the program since the 1987-90 era when Clemson had four straight 10 win seasons.

Clemson had an 11-2 record this year, the program’s highest win total since 1981.  The Tigers concluded the season with a 25-24 win over seventh-ranked (USA Today) LSU team in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.  Boyd was 36-50 for 346 yards and two touchdowns in that game.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here at Clemson,” said Boyd.  “I’ve been a part of a great family and learned so much as a person and as a player. I’m not ready to give it up yet, so I’m here to announce that I’ll be returning for my senior season here at Clemson University.

“It was a big process. I had pros and cons for each side. For me, it came down to me enjoying being at Clemson.  I love playing college football and I feel like we have a lot of goals left on the table.

“I thought it (the decision) was pretty clear at first, but it’s been weighing on me for about the past five days. So I really sat down and thought about it, prayed about it.  In the end it (coming back) was the best decision for me.”

Clemson finished the season ranked ninth by USA Today and 11th by Associated Press.  The number-nine ranking is the first top 10 finish for the program since the 1990 season.

Boyd quarterbacked Clemson to the ACC Championship in 2011, the program’s first league title since 1991.  Clemson has a 21-6 record with Boyd as the quarterback.  Next year he will attempt to be the first quarterback in school history to lead Clemson to three seasons of at least 10 wins.

Overall he holds 39 Clemson records.

“He made the best decision for himself and for Clemson,” said Head Coach Dabo Swinney.  “This is great for our program because I think he is the best quarterback in the country.   He is not only the leader of the offense, he is the leader of this team.

“It is the best decision for him because he will benefit from another year of experience as the quarterback at this level. It will definitely make him more prepared for the National Football League.

“This is an exciting announcement for our team, coaches and our fans.”

This past season Boyd completed 287 of 427 passes for 3896 yards and 36 touchdowns.  He also had 514 yards rushing and 10 rushing touchdowns for 4410 yards of total offense, an average of 339.2 yards per game, an all-time Clemson record.

Boyd set the ACC season record for touchdown passes with 36 and for touchdown responsibility (TDs rushing and passing) with 46.  Only Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M had more nationally with 47.

Boyd was also fifth in the nation in passing efficiency with a 165.6 figure, the highest efficiency rating in Clemson history.  He was  the first Clemson quarterback to finish in the top five in the nation in that category since Mike Eppley finished third in 1983.  His rating and touchdown pass figures were better than 2012 Heisman Trophy finalists Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M and Colin Klein of Kansas State.

Boyd was named the ACC Player of the Year by both the ACC Sports Media and the ACC Coaches.  He was named first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, the first Clemson quarterback to make any first-team in history.  He was also the MVP of the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl and the 2011 ACC Championship game.

Boyd Honors and Awards in 2012

  • First-team AFCA All-American QB
  • Third-Team All-American by Lindy’s
  • Honorable Mention All-American by Sporting News
  • ACC Player of the Year by ACC Sports media
  • ACC Player of the Year by ACC Coaches
  • Most Valuable Player of Chick-fil-A Bowl win over LSU
  • First-team All-ACC by ACC Sports Media
  • First-team All-ACC by CBS
  • First-team All-ACC by ACC Coaches
  • First-team All-ACC by College Football News
  • First-team All-ACC by ESPN
  • Ranked as #1 player in ACC by College Football News
  • Finalist for Manning Award (1 of 10)
  • Semifinalist for Walter Camp National Player of the Year (1 of 15)
  • Semifinalist for Johnny Unitas Award (1 of 15)
  • Semifinalist for Davey O’Brien Award (1 of 15)
  • Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week vs. NC State
  • Manning Award National Player of the Week vs. NC State
  • Leather Helmet Award as MVP of Clemson vs. Boston College game
  • ACC Offensive Back of the Week vs. Wake Forest, Duke and NC State
Boyd Records/Accomplishments in Range for 2013
Category Boyd Has… Record Is…
Career Top 25 wins as QB 6 7 by Charlie Whitehurst, 2002-05
Career Wins by CU QB 21 32 by Rodney Williams, 1985-88
Career 10-Win Seasons by QB 2 2 by Rodney Williams, 1985-88
Clemson Total Offense 8818 9763, Charlie Whitehurst, 2002-05
Clemson Passing Yards 8053 9665, Charlie Whitehurst, 2002-05
ACC for TD Responsibility 89 112 by Phillip Rivers, NC State
ACC for TD Passes 73 95 by Phillip Rivers, NC State
ACC Player of the Year 1 5 players have won twice, lastCharlie Ward of Florida State 92-93
Comparing Tajh Boyd with 2012 Heisman Finalists
Pass Efficiency
Tajh Boyd, Clemson 165.58
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M 155.32
Colin Klein, Kansas State 149.36
Completion Percentage
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M 68.0
Tajh Boyd, Clemson 67.2
Colin Klein, Kansas State 64.8
Touchdown Passes
Tajh Boyd, Clemson 36
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M 26
Colin Klein, Kansas State 16
Pass Yards/Game
Tajh Boyd, Clemson 299.7
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M 285.1
Colin Klein, Kansas State 203.5
Yards/Pass Attempt
Tajh Boyd, Clemson 9.12
Colin Klein, Kansas State 8.70
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M 8.54
Yards/Completion
Tajh Boyd, Clemson 13.57
Colin Klein, Kansas State 13.43
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M 12.56
Touchdown Responsibility
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M 47
Tajh Boyd, Clemson 46
Colin Klein, Kansas State 39
Total Offense/Game
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M 393.5
Tajh Boyd, Clemson 339.2
Colin Klein, Kansas State 274.7

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