NC State RB signee R.J. Boyd on comeback from form of cancer

NC State running backs coach and special team special coordinator Todd Goebbel got in contact with running back R.J. Boyd on Dec. 3 and gave him an amazing surprise.

Boyd was expected to be part of the class of 2025 coming out Waycross (Ga.) Ware County, but has been battling B Cell Lymphoma for the last year and a half, delaying his path to college. Goebbel wanted Boyd to sign with NC State for National Signing Day and have new motivation to continue his battle.

“They called me early in the morning [on NSD], and Coach Goebbel was asking I had gotten an email,” said Boyd, 19. “I was like, ‘No sir.’ They sent it to my email and told me to sign it and send it back. It was amazing.

“I want to give everything I got [to get a college degree]. I miss the learning, growing as a person, meeting new people and working with others.”

Boyd still has kept his long-range goals for what he hopes he can achieve at NC State.

“My last treatment will be in November 2026,” Boyd said. “My dream is to win a natty [national championship and I want to go for the Heisman Trophy. I want to be first-team All-ACC. I want to win freshman of the year. I want to break a lot of records.

“I hope I can be on the field and practicing in the fall.”

Boyd rushed 131 times for 967 yards and eight touchdowns his sophomore year in 13 games played. He came back and had 114 rushing attempts for 694 yards and 10 scores in 10 contests his junior year.

Goebbel offered Boyd on Jan. 17, 2024, and were firmly in the mix from the start. He committed to the Wolfpack over Duke and South Florida shortly after his official visit June 23, 2024, and his future seemed secure.

On3.com had Boyd as a three-star prospect, No. 139 running back nationally and No. 161 overall in Georgia in the class of 2024. He had P4 offers from NC State, Duke, Indiana and Missouri, plus offers from Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Elon, James Madison, Kent State and South Florida.

Boyd was excited about his senior year, but what he never saw coming is that his last high school game ended up being a 23-21 loss to Warner-Robins (Ga.) High on Nov. 17, 2023, in the GHSA 5A playoffs. Boyd had 24 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown, plus two catches for nine yards.

“I know he’s doing really well with his treatments, and we’re hopeful that he can be a member of our football team,” NCSU coach Dave Doeren said. “We totally believe in that young man and know that he’s been through hell and back with his treatment schedule.”

Boyd said the first symptom that something was wrong was before the start of his senior year when his knee wasn’t responding well. 

“My knee was like, it was constantly bothering me,” said Boyd, who was 17 at the time. “I don’t really like, I don’t really like continue to hurt after injuries. The pain just was never going away. It was every day.”

Boyd never envisioned he had B Cell Lymphoma and that his life would be turned upside down. His senior year was wiped out and his future in doubt about college football.

“First it was just to, it was to beat it first,” Boyd said. “Then it was just find the quickest way possible to get back on the field.”

Throughout it all, Goebbel would check in and assure Boyd during the process.

“He would call and he would text, and he would continue to come see me,” Boyd said. “He would stay in touch with me and make sure I was working.

“When I could start working out again, he made sure I working out every day.”

A major impact has been the help of his family, prep coaches and friends, while he is figuring things out. His experience is something only he understands, but isolation is a constant battle in some ways. His mother, LaShunda Stone-Cooper, has been a rock from day one, helping with constant trips back and forth to the hospital. 

“I want to thank her and appreciate her, and she never missed a ball game or missing an appointment,” Boyd said. “She stayed with me during the whole journey through cancer. My step-dad [Dantay Cooper] has also helped out, even after starting a new job.”

Luckily, he hasn’t had to stay overnight for extended stays that often during his treatmentat Savannah (Ga.) Memorial Pediatric Oncology with Dr. James Nathan Yarnall and Dr. Andrew Pendleton.

“I had lots of people around — family and friends,” Boyd said. “My support system is great. My mom would take off some days. Sometimes my my mom would have my grandparent come down here and take me [to the hospital].

“It was a two-hour drive every day. I had to wake up early every day, to go to the doctor.”

Some trips Boyd would have to stay until he reached certain counts. He said he luckily never had a fever, which also can mean staying at a hospital sometimes.

“Some days I had to stay more hours than usual, but some days it was quick,” Boyd said. “Some weeks, I had to stay two-three days. It was just different times and phases.”

What was an asset in Boyd’s fight was being a teenager. It’s a different experience when cancer happens at a much older age.

“I had a different mental fight and I had more to live for,” said Boyd, who didn’t lose his hair. “I knew God had a plan for me. I know God was trying to slow me down.”

Boyd’s younger brother, current senior running back Jamir Boyd, took his place on the football field. R.J. Boyd regularly attended practices and games the last two years, and teammates had #RJWILL stickers on their helmets. Jamir Boyd ran 126 carries for 761 yards and eight touchdowns this past fall.

“It was amazing but still hard for me,” said Boyd on watching Jamir play. “Not being able to get on the field when I was supposed to be with him. I went to every game and every practice and every film session. I was helping my brother and the other running backs.”

Jamir Boyd is a twin with Ramir Boyd, and younger brother Kendan Cooper all have been part of R.J.’s support system.

One of the bitter parts of battling cancer is that there is a constant comparison of what life was like before the diagnosis and now after. Boyd ended up going from around 200-205 pounds on his 6-foot frame to 240 pounds during his rounds of chemotherapy.

Boyd is now down to about 225 pounds and feels he’s about 75 percent of what he was as a junior in high school.

“I had gained too much weight,” Boyd said. “I’m just working out every day and concentrating on my health. I have to get stronger and more faster. I have to learn how to control my weight. It’s a new weight.”

Boyd said he’ll check in with some of the NC State players he knows such as redshirt freshman running back Jayden Scott or redshirt junior left tackle Jacarrius Peak. He’s starting to follow new running backs Noah Moss of Fairhope, Ala., and Dylan McCoy of Buford (Ga.), who both signed Wednesday.

Boyd made the trip to Charlotte, N.C., to watch the NC State vs. Tennessee game Sept. 7, 2024. The last time he’s been to NC State was for his official visit in June 2024.

Boyd understands the opportunity to get a college degree better than most. He still has big football dreams, but it will be one step at a time.

“I watch them play all the time and I’ve been rooting for them,” Boyd said. “I just imagine how it would be when I get there, looking at the fan base.” How the stadium and environment will be.”

For those who would like to support Body and his journey, monetary donations are welcomed at:

Cash App: $DantayCooper
Venmo: shunstone2000
Zelle: 912-550-9308