I had to the opportunity to talk to former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd and get his take on the 2015 Orange Bowl and talk about his time in Tiger Town.
I had the opportunity to catch up with former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd and get his take on the 2015 Orange Bowl and talk to him about being a part of the Tiger football program.
In his time at Clemson, Boyd set almost every school passing record there was to break and handled himself with class in doing so. Boyd helped orchestrate some of the greatest wins in Clemson football history, but he said the big games are not any different from the other as far as preparation goes.
"“There’s not really a whole lot of difference, you prepare the same way. There’s definitely a lot at stake, but you go out there and compete and the guys need to treat this game like they would any other.”"
In many games during his tenure, the Tigers found themselves as underdogs and Boyd said, as a player, you look at the disrespect, but you be careful with how you treat it.
Jan 3, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half of the 2014 Orange Bowl college football game at Sun Life Stadium. The Tigers won 40-35. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
"“We look at, but try not to focus on it all that much. The coaches bring it up and it can be a great motivator. I mean [In Clemson’s case], it’s complete disrespect that you’re the number one team in the nation and the guys can use that to fuel the fire.”"
I was interested to see how he sees this game playing out and what, through the eyes of a quarterback Tajh Boyd could see in the Oklahoma defense.
"“Clemson has a combination of a strong rushing attack and passing game, said Boyd. [Wayne] Gallman is having a great a great year. The guys just need to go out and exploit those holes in the defense and the rushing game will open up the passing game. Oklahoma has potential, but the Tigers are more talented. It’s really about coming out and taking control of the game early.”"
Even though he has graduated from Clemson, Boyd has stayed a part of the Tiger program and has been in heavy contact with current quarterback Deshaun Watson.
"“Deshaun and I talk at least three times a week. I used to hang out with him all the time when he’d come on visits to Clemson. Since meeting him, you notice that Deshaun is mature beyond his age. The biggest thing I can tell him is to go out there and play his game. He just needs to play a clean game, Oklahoma is talented, but he needs to just be himself.”"
In addition to Deshaun Watson, Tajh Boyd has kept in contact with his old coach Dabo Swinney and says Swinney will always be special to him.
"“Swinney will always have a special place in my heart. He helped me grow from a boy to a man. He helped me learn what I needed to during my time in Clemson.”"
One of the most surprising things I will always remember about Tajh Boyd is him returning for his senior season. It’s amazing that he would decide to come back, but he had great reasons why.
"“There were several reasons for coming back my senior year. I wanted to go out a compete for a National Championship and I wanted to win the Heisman. Sometimes, man, there’s more to life than the NFL and money. Ultimately, I wanted to be the first to graduate from college in my family.”"
He is now in Miami and I wanted to know what he is currently doing and what will be going on in the future.
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"Right now, I’m down in Miami for the Capital Orange Bowl Fan Fest signing autographs from 11:30-2:30 and the Capital One Suite. I’ll be able to hang out with the young guys and be on the sideline during the game and hopefully congratulate them on a win. I will finish my season with Montreal [in the Canadian Football League] and I plan to do some work for the University. I live in Greenville, which is not that long away and I definitely plan to get my Masters at Clemson.”"
Tajh is touring on behalf of Capital One, the title sponsor of the Orange Bowl – as well as the Capital One Cup, the prestigious award which recognizes the best men’s and women’s Division I athletic program in the country, giving a combined $400,000 in student-athlete scholarships.
"“It would be huge [for Clemson to win] because you are able to do so much more. It gives guys like Deshaun and others a chance to compete. Ultimately, there’s a life after football and this helps prepare student-athletes for the rest of their lives.”"
The winner of the Clemson/Oklahoma matchup in Miami will be one step closer to winning the national championship and earning 60 points toward the Capital One Cup. For more information on the Cup, or to see where your school stands, fans can go to capitalonecup.com.
More tigers: Clemson vs Oklahoma: Keys to Victory
I want to thank Tajh, once again for his time and wish him the best going forward. Boyd has been a great ambassador for Clemson and will continue to thrive in whatever he chooses.
Tajh Boyd’s prediction for the 2015 Orange Bowl: Clemson by 10.