Shaw defensive back set to add to resume

You would be hard pressed to find many defensive backs in Louisiana's Class of 2009 with a better resumé than that of Archbishop Shaw standout Chad Boyd.

Boyd started a few games a freshman before becoming an integral part of defensive-minded teams that made back-to-back appearances in the Class 4A state championship game. And he still has a year to go to add to it all.

Last season he had 12 pass breakups, two interceptions, 60 tackles forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble from his primary safety position. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and blocked a field goal. As a sophomore he registered five interceptions and 40 tackles.

"My sophomore year I was still learning the process of being a defensive back," Boyd said. "As the year progressed I learned more and more about what receivers were giving you, what they are not giving you. How to play them in certain situations, like after watching film you know they might do this in one play and something else in another play. My sophomore year I had a lot more nerves than I do now. Now I'm relaxed and just play my game."

The 5-foot-10 Boyd – who will be at Saturday's Five-Star Academy at LSU on Saturday – will probably play cornerback at the next level. He has excelled in almost all categories of recruitment. He has been productive on the field, has a solid academic standing and recently put up impressive numbers at Nike Combines. He has posted a SPARQ score of 90.45, one of the highest in two Nike Combines conducted in Louisiana since December.

He runs well, posting an electronic 4.81-second in the 40-yard dash at one combine.

"I think of myself as one of the more physical defensive backs who just likes to hit and make a play as a run stopper," Boyd said. "A lot of cornerbacks just think pass coverage, and those things are important, but I also like to hitting aspect."

Boyd has no offers yet, but he has been receiving mail from most of the SEC schools and quite a few letters from Ivy League schools.

"It could be a possibility because academics is first," Boyd said of the Ivy League schools. "I try to keep a steady 3.0 grade point average. Whatever comes my way I'm going to take a look at it. If they have interest in me, I have interest in them."

He plans to attend camps at LSU, Ole Miss, Auburn and Alabama this summer. In the meantime, he's setting individual goals for the upcoming spring practice.

"I'm trying to be the leader of the team; trying to give everybody a chance to do well," Boyd said. "I want to help everybody else out, even my receivers. Sometimes I hang around with the quarterbacks and receivers to give them some looks on how the cornerbacks and safeties are playing them. Just trying to help them get better."