New York Jets coach Rex Ryan apparently made a promise to Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd prior to the 2014 NFL Draft.
"He said that if I made down this far in the draft he would definitely select me," Boyd told ESPN Saturday, via tigernet.com.
Ryan delivered on the promise. Gang Green selected the former ACC Player of the Year with the 213th overall pick in the sixth round, immediately pitting the youngster in a third-stringer battle with Matt Simms.
Boyd amassed 13,069 total yards in his collegiate career and tallied an ACC-record 133 touchdowns ,including an conference record 107 passing touchdowns.
The quarterback position was a complicated one in this year's draft, and Boyd's role was no exception. He was projected to go anywhere from early in the third round to late in the fifth. However, he fell even further than that, prompting Ryan to pull the trigger.
"I think we all know my pick," Ryan said, via ESPN New York. "I can't lie about that. It's pretty obvious."
Boyd will be auditioning to be the third signal-caller on the Jets' depth chart behind Geno Smith and Michael Vick, and if all goes well, he could eventually work his way into the primary backup gig -- or maybe compete for the starting job -- once Vick moves on.
"It is something that not a lot of people get to do," Boyd said. "To have the opportunity to be an NFL quarterback and go out there and compete is an amazing feeling in itself. The road and journey has been so long to get to this point and to have the opportunity is an amazing feeling."
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