Tajh Boyd

A top 10 quarterback recruit coming out of Hampton, Va., Boyd chose Clemson over Ohio State and Oregon In what would be a precursor to the toughness Boyd has displayed at Clemson, he played his senior year of high school with a torn ACL that required surgery after he led Phoebus High to the second of two state titles. Boyd redshirted and saw limited time as a freshman in 2010. He became the starter in 2011 and turned heads as Clemson won the ACC and earned a spot in the Orange Bowl. If the Heisman Trophy was awarded after eight games, Boyd would have been the frontrunner in '11 as he led Clemson to an 8-0 start with a 24-3 TD-INT ratio over that stretch. However, just like Clemson, he struggled down the stretch. Boyd struggled through some more inconsistency in 2012, but continued to put up staggering numbers en route to being named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year. He led the Tigers to an 11-2 record while setting regular-season ACC records for touchdowns responsible for in a single game (eight) and season (41). He saved his best for last, engineering a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback victory over LSU in the Chik-fil-A Bowl. The final drive included an excellent completion in a tight window on a fourth-down situation that kept Clemson's hopes alive. It's the impressive skills and toughness Boyd displayed against LSU that will make scouts review his tape extremely closely. However, his inconsistency could well divide the scouting community as to Boyd's value on draft day. As many times as Boyd bailed Clemson out of a jam, he had almost as many puzzling mistakes and poor decisions.

shorter than ideal. most of his passes are relatively easy throws; i.e. screens, in-cutting routes across the middle, etc. rarely asked to drive the ball from the opposite hash across the field.

Has a bit of a wind-up. Takes the vast majority of his snaps out of the shotgun. Surrounded by playmaking receivers who can turn his short passes into long gains.

drops his eyes and looks to run too early rather than exhausting his passing options. needs to improve upon his accuracy on the move.

COMPARES TO

very good velocity overall, especially on in-breaking routes at the intermediate and deep level. shows good touch to loft passes over the heads of linebackers and under safeties over the middle.

Good ball placement. Generally hits his receivers in stride or leads them away from the defender. Quick feet, showing good footwork to step into his throws and escape pressure when needed.

russell wilson, qb, seahawks -- like wilson, boyd will have to fight through the stereotype of short quarterbacks to earn his chance in the nfl. but he possesses the other athletic traits needed and showed improved decision-making and leadership traits in 2012.

--Rob Rang

strengths

Possesses a compact build that makes him potentially better suited to handling big hits than taller, lankier passers. Efficient set-up and despite a slight wind-up the ball jumps out of his hand.

very tough. reportedly lost 20 pounds in preparation for the 2012 season. had been characterized as a team leader in the past but improved in this regard in 2012, demonstrating a more even-keel demeanor throughout games.

WEAKNESSES

good poise in and outside of the pocket. is willing to step up in the pocket to avoid outside pressure and generally keeps his eyes downfield. creative passer, who can flick the ball (brett favre-style) to get rid of it as he's being pressured.

Talented runner. More elusive than his frame would indicate, showing lateral agility and surprising burst. Powerful runner who isn't afraid to lower his shoulder for needed yardage. Keeps his legs driving through contact.

Consensus top-100 national player

#38 player in the nation by Tom Lemming

#59 player in the nation by ESPN.com and #51 player by Rivals.com

#46 player in the nation by SuperPrep

#87 player in the Top-100 Dream Team by PrepStar

#77 player in the nation and #9 player in the ACC by Athlon

#5 quarterback in the nation by ESPN.com and #4 quarterback in the nation by Rivals.com

#3 player in Virginia by Rivals.com

#6 player in Virginia by SuperPrep

#5 quarterback in the nation by SuperPrep

played in the U.S. Army All-American game, where he earned Co-MVP honors after completing 7-9 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns

completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,455 yards and 23 touchdowns along with three rushing touchdowns as a senior

completed 69 percent of his passes for 2,050 yards and 25 touchdowns, and rushed for seven touchdowns as a junior

his high school team posted a 43-2 record with him as starting quarterback in his career

played his senior year with a torn ACL and had surgery in January; he still led his high school to the state championship

led Phoebus High to two state titles

coached by Bill Dee at Phoebus High School

recruited by Billy Napier and Danny Pearman

chose Clemson over Ohio State and Oregon.

His cousin, Darrell Roseman, was an offensive lineman at Auburn

majoring in sociology

born Sept. 25, 1990.