High Character, High Impact: Amier Boyd Delivers in Texas Tech Debut
When Texas Tech brought in players this offseason the headlines centered on a number of names but for many UTEP transfer Amier Boyd flew under the radar. That did not stop the redshirt-junior defensive back from quickly making an impression on his Tech coaches who rave about his high ceiling, character and work ethic.
“He has made a lot of improvements since he’s been here,” said Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood on Monday. “Coach McBath does a great job with all our corners. I think that he’s grown in the confidence of just understanding technique and assignment within the scheme that we’re playing. I think he’s got a chance to be a guy that can can really play at a high level for us.”
Boyd was the first of that highly touted transfer group to get a turnover to their name when he notched an interception in the teams 67-7 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday. It was a moment that showed not just his experience but also his ability to learn and adjust on the fly. On the second drive of the game, Boyd came up with tackle on a short three-yard completion on third down. It ended UAPB’s possession and forced a punt, he did his job. But could he have done more? He appeared to think so following the play and got some coaching from his position coach on the sideline.
The ball was ultimately well placed to be fair, high and outside, who knows if he could have gotten there. But presented with a similar opportunity only two drives later – Boyd was ready.
“We were in cloud, one receiver, so automatically thinking get hands on be more aggressive,” he explained. “Once I saw the quick game look, I knew it was going to be something short. I just read it and went and got it.”.
The interception sent the Jones AT&T crowd into a frency and sent him sprinting to the sideline to celebrate with teammates.
“It was really a great experience,” he said. “The crowd was going crazy. Everybody was happy for me. Catching my first interception in the Jones was big time”.
Working With Brenden Jordan As the Green Dot
Boyd said he’s been able to play more freely in the Red Raiders’ defensive scheme which emphasizes communication and trust. It’s also the first time he has played on a defense that gave the green dot [helmet comm] to a safety. Brenden Jordan for Tech to be specific.
“This is my first time seeing that especialy on the defensive side where they [Brenden] can actually get the call from Coach Green,” Boyd noted. “It’s a pretty good tool. If we got a check wrong he can quickly fix it for us.”
The lopsided score and a weather delay could have made it easy to lose focus but reacting to chaos and building a ‘what’s next’ mindset has been a theme of fall camp. In game one, this team quickly had a chance to show just how much chaos they had learned to handle.
“It can be hard but we’ve got good people around us,” answered Boyd when asked how the team regrouped following the lengthy storm delay. “In the locker room the number one thing being said was just ‘Stay focused.’ We still had to go out there, do what we had to do and finish the game”.
What’s Next? Kent State on Saturday
Getting his first interception and win as a Red Raider was worthy of celebration but it was clear Boyd has already turned the page to what is ahead this weekend.
“We can definitely stay locked in longer,” he said of Saturday’s 11am matchup with Kent State. “It’s going to be the same thing – watching film, preparing for isolations and one-on-one opportunities. We’ve got to capitalize on that”.
Texas Tech welcomes Kent State (1-0) to town after the Golden Flashes ended the nation’s longest losing streak at 21 games with their season opening win over Merrimack.
Kickoff scheduled for 11 am CT. Broadcast on TNT.
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