Tajh Boyd to play on Saturday against the Wolfpack

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Nov 01 13:03:17 GMT-04:00 2010

CLEMSON – Reserve quarterback Tajh Boyd met with head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Billy Napier this morning, and he said following the 30-minute meeting that he expects to be on the field Saturday when the Tigers play N.C. State.

He said he wasn’t told how much he would play or when he would see action, but was told to be ready to see the field.

“I think you will see me on the field this weekend,” Boyd said Monday afternoon in the West Zone. “I am not sure how much, but when I do get out there, I want to take advantage of the opportunity. It could be every other series. It could be a quarter. Whenever I get my opportunity, I just have to make the most of it.

”We just went over everything. Life in general. Our football team is a family and we have our ups and downs . I don’t know how everyone else views it, but it’s just a rough little patch. You never know what could happen. Football ball is a crazy sport. We’ll just have to see what happens.”

Boyd said he is excited about the chance to get back out on the field.

“Coach [Swinney] told me he didn’t know how much or what setting it will be in, but I will play,” Boyd said. “When I do, I just want to be ready for it. Anybody that has been playing football this long wants to play. When the opportunity comes, it’s up to me to see what I want to do with the opportunity.”

Boyd admitted he hasn’t been getting many reps with the first team in practice, but expects that to change this week.

“Not lately [having any reps in practice with the 1’s], but we’ll go out here in practice this week and see what happens,” he said. “I’ll get some time. We didn’t go into detail about how much. I just have to take advantage of it.”

Boyd admitted that redshirting last season and playing behind Parker this season has helped his development.

“It’s been great for me. It’s worked out and was best for me,” he said. “Redshirting last season and being on the sideline this season has been crucial to my development. I’ve learned a lot from the good and the bad. I wouldn't change it for anything. The coaches have just told me to be ready. Even during the Auburn game when Kyle got hurt- I got a whole new mindset that I have to be ready because anything can happen.”

The added time has also helped his understanding of the offense.

“At the beginning of the spring, I only knew bits and pieces and few plays [of the offense] and now I know everything,” he said. “I’m always involved in the game. Standing there, looking at the signals and trying to figure out what I would do if I was in his [Kyle’s] situation. A lot of the times, I’ve been pretty accurate, and if I didn’t know he comes back to the sideline and I ask him what he saw.

”I think every day has been a new challenge. Every week I’ve been getting more and more comfortable. Every week, I’ve just been trying to improve and get better. I could’ve done some things against Auburn, but I wasn’t comfortable at all.”

Boyd also said he thinks getting on the field with players he will be leading next season is critical.

“Our team is very good on the offense- we are only losing two, maybe three people this year,” he said. “Our class coming in is crazy. As far as the future goes, it’s very bright. For right now, we just have to keep working and decide how we want to finish the season, on a good note or a bad note. I think we’ll pull together as a team and finish the season strong.”