HAMPTON, Va. - An hour following his team’s 77-0 thrashing of Denbigh, most of which he watched from the sideline, Phoebus quarterback Tajh Boyd announced his commitment to Tennessee on Saturday afternoon.
Boyd, who committed to West Virginia in March but changed his mind last month, visited the Knoxville campus last weekend. He said he is aware of the rumors regarding Vols coach Phillip Fulmer’s job status, but he’s confident there won’t be a change.
“I know people are talking about that, but when I spoke with Coach Fulmer and their athletic director (Mike Hamilton), they told me they didn’t think anything was going to happen,” Boyd said. “Plus, I have to like the school in general. And I love the school.
“I got to talk with Coach Fulmer and the other coaches, and I like them a lot. It’s a chance to play in the SEC, and that’s a great opportunity.”
The main reason Boyd reneged on his commitment to WVU was that he didn’t feel comfortable with the Mountaineers’ offensive philosophy. But he likes what he sees out of Tennessee.
“Basically, they run about the same offense there that we run here,” he said. “They run a lot of roll-outs like we do. And I feel I can come in and play early in that type of offense.”
Tennessee, 3-5 going into Saturday night’s game at South Carolina, has three underclassmen on the depth chart at quarterback: sophomore Nick Stephens, junior Jonathan Crompton and freshman B.J. Coleman.
None of them have been all that effective, combining for a 51-percent completion rate and six touchdowns.
Boyd attended the Vols’ 29-9 loss to second-ranked Alabama last Saturday. Boyd said he was impressed the 106,138 fans that flocked Neyland Stadium.
“I had planned on dragging out the process a little longer, but I wanted to make a decision and then focus on the rest of the season ... ,” Boyd said. “I think this will be the best place for me.”
Boyd, ranked by most analysts as the top high school quarterback in Virginia, has completed 57 of 91 passes (63 percent) for 1,033 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. He missed two games with a sprained knee.
Boyd hit on 5 of 9 throws for 121 yards on Saturday before re-injuring his knee early in the second quarter. He watched the remainder of the game from the sideline and was walking fine after the game.
“I’m good,” he said.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 437
TonyGeist writes:
Just need a new coach and we'll be set for a run at the East.
orangecountry21 writes:
Are we lying to him or is there ZERO chance of a coaching change.
FLVol writes:
You guys better forget the new coach thing..it ain't happening. Fulmer is buying himself another year with this upcoming recruiting class. I think if Fulmer stays, we get Marlon Brown. If he could stick around another couple of years and hand off the program to a solid coach we won't have much of a let off. Otherwise, you think 2008 is bad wait until next year with a new coach.
tnbigg writes:
Fantastic! Welcome to Tennessee young man! We really recruit well in his area...and we NEED a quarterback like him...big time...
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Don't know if a coaching change will make a difference with his verbal or not, but he seems pretty secure that nothing's going to happen. A good class is shaping up. Just hope it's not all for naught.
At any rate, GO VOLS!!! Beat the gamechicks!
JUGHEAD
rockytoptilidie writes:
I hope he doesn't hear Spurrier's comments that "When is the last time Tennessee had a decent offense without Cutcliffe?" It'd be great if you'd come to Knoxville to join Tajh, Steven.
cmcvol writes:
Phil Fulmer ain't going nowhere.
TheMagician writes:
Another Tidewater athelete!
Some others:
Todd Kelly
Jerod Mayo
As well as:
Brent Vinson
Duke Crews
Which direction will he go?
poof!
jlight#347852 writes:
Reading between the lines, it seems that this kid is committing to the school and not the head coach. I have a feeling he wouldn't a hard sell for the new coach.
By the way, who cares about the strength of our recruiting class? It isn't like this staff has a way of developing top-tier talent anyway. Other schools get a lot more out of two and three-star athletes than this staff gets out of four-star guys. Not to mention, it's not like Fulmer has a track record of playing kids early either like an Urban Meyer or Nick Saban.
mdvol writes:
We don't need sports talk, blogs or national media. Tajh had the scoop all along. Guess that settles it.
mdvol writes:
What has he heard about the election?
TheMagician writes:
You know, in watching CPF on his television show last weekend, I noticed a calm, laid back attitude. Really surprising after a loss. As much as I believe that something needs to change over there on the campus, I got the sense that Fulmer has been told that he WILL get another year, thus the pressure has been relieved.
DennisVols writes:
UF up 28-3 and GA just fumbles it abck to UF on GA's 10
mdvol writes:
Tajh.......what have you heard? Was their a second shooter on the grassy knoll?
DennisVols writes:
35-3 UF
They beat GA worse than they do UT and Fulmer gets another year
The_Mayor writes:
Nice. Great news.
I keep saying, Fulmer is here for at least one more year. It's basic economics. Forget the widely posted "6 million dollar buyout"...It's more like 12 at the very least. If Hamilton was going to fire Fulmer, it would have happened at the end of last season, not less than a year after giving him a raise and an extension. Firing him is not only economic suicide, but it is full admission the the finger should be squarely pointed at Hamilton.
Don't shoot the messenger. Try to put your emotions on the shelf before responding.
Go Vols.
mdvol writes:
Tajh....since people are confiding in you......did we really put a man on the moon or was it a conspiracy?
Volumni writes:
Listed at 6 feet tall, which means he's 5'10. Rated number 3 as "Dual Threat", meaning here comes the spread. Noticed that no mention of his size in here. Another future wideout, hopefully the next Marcus Nash or Joey Kent!
Also, Tim Brando just made the same comment on CBS about Cutcliffe, and all agreed. We are being laughed at!!!
vol52 writes:
I hate to tell Tajh but Phil will not be the coach next year. That is a good thing for Tajh.
CoverOrange writes:
But will there be a scapegoat fired?
mdvol writes:
Tajh.....any inside news on the Second Coming because I'm a little light on my mortgage payment this month?
OldNumber7 writes:
Keeping Fulmer is economic suicide. Television, season tickes sales, donations, merchandise. I bet the tally this year has already hit the bottom line for well more than Fulmers buyout is worth. I watched ticket priced for BAMA plummet - the result was 1/4 of Neyland Stadium in Crimson. It will get worse. The only way to keep demand high is to win. Watch out VASF - it's gonna be a rough year.
BillsBrother writes:
How does his high school score 77 points in a game if they run the same 3 and out offense that UT runs?
volroadwarrior writes:
Yeah, we are going to have the Messiah as President.
ep4star#260637 writes:
i can't view the comments from this site any more.........any ideas
pammyvol1000 writes:
I'm back from vacation.. Go Vols and kick some cocky butt tonight!!!!!
Welcome Tajh to the Big ORANGE COUNTRY.. Hope to see you on the field soon!!
mdvol writes:
How quickly do you think he can "spread the wealth?" First Tennessee is calling.
Go4Two writes:
UGA ,Fla this one is getting ugly
volroadwarrior writes:
Gary Danielson on CBS has a man crush on Stafford.
BoatmanVolfan writes:
Fulmer will be here another year. Clawson has to be given more than one year to get his offense going. The Clawffense will be great given time.
VolEagle writes:
EVERYONE should realize that Fulmer is NOT going to be fired! Quit wishing for it, it ain't going to happen. All the fans complaining is not what changes things, it is out of our hands----
TommyJack writes:
I like Danielson, but he acts like he's Stafford's agent.
spvol writes:
Time to fire Richt.
orangecountry21 writes:
Incorrect. Hamilton is giving him about two years to work with this recruiting class and the spread offense and if he continues his mediocrity, he is without a doubt gone.
DennisVols writes:
49-3 UF with 7:29 to go. Is Fulmer giving Richt tips on how to beat UF?
Volalumnus writes:
sorry dude but there is already a decision for a new coach.
When it comes to money, it doesn't matter if you got a team but no fan base to support it.
Jshoop writes:
You guys are too tough on Fulmer. The Vols are going to be alright. Just on a low cycle. Look at Penn State and Florida State. Both were at the bottom and now are climbing back up with their same coaches. Things have to run their cycle. Fulmer will have us back on top.
TonyGeist writes:
This "cycle" you speak of has gone on too long.
We've been in a decline since 2002.
Last year, we LUCKED into the SEC Championship game.
Everything that had to go right did.
Bring in Muschamp as HC and bring back Trooper as OC.
orangecountry21 writes:
As Tennessee fans, we are naturally impatient. Our pride stands with how the Vols are doing. The orange bloods live for Saturday and don't want to have to wait 10 years to have a 10-2 season. I agree with what you are saying, but it is hard to just stand by and watch us become the dregs of the SEC.
The_Mayor writes:
Volalumnus, can you validate your statement, or is it just a comment of hope. You and Shipperman, along with a host of others contend as though you know some great secret, but you can't seem to back it up. Please tell us about this "decision for a new coach". The entire VolNation is waiting on the edge of their collective seat.
I'm sitting here in southern California, and the sun is setting on the Pacific. It doesn't really matter whether I want it to or not, it's going to set. That's what I'm trying to say about
Fulmer. Emotion is not a factor in the matter. He will be the head coach at the University of Tennessee next season. Clawson will be the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee next season.
blitzshoot writes:
Welcome to Tennessee Tajh!
volbald writes:
It looks like next year is set in stone. The offense should be better but "Clawful" doesn't appear to be able to cut it in the SEC. Something had to be happening at Richmond that we don't know about to cause him to leave a successful head coach position and come to UT as the OC. It's hard to justify sacrificing Fulmer. He did take us to the next level and did win a NC. But Fulmer won't be able to win another SEC title. Who could UT hire that would be able to beat Meyer, Richt, Saban, and Miles on a regular basis? UT has gotten itself between a rock and a hard spot. Let's just hope we do better against S.C. in a few minutes than we've done against our other SEC opponents.
blitzshoot writes:
Anyone watching the game.....Fulmer is coaching this one hard. Stephens nice pass.
budrhon writes:
Tajh is Tupac still alive?
tnbigg writes:
Lookin good so far...except for the goofy time out...
tnbigg writes:
I take that back...
blitzshoot writes:
Fulmer looks like he's into it. 4th down....do you go? no need....good deal...dink and dunk is working.
blitzshoot writes:
That was in???
get rid of it Stephens...geezz
lack of experience...
tnbigg writes:
Sick...
blitzshoot writes:
I thought the pass was complete....
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