Boyd trying to make most of opportunity with Tigers’ first string

CLEMSON — Sunday night, Clemson’s first spring football practice was closed to the public and media, and for that, Tajh Boyd is probably thankful.

With starter Kyle Parker helping the Tigers’ baseball team finish off a rivalry series win over South Carolina in Columbia, Boyd, a former five-star quarterback recruit, got his first snaps with the first-string offense.

That first snap, in particular, could have gone better.

Boyd dropped back and fired a pass over the middle — which was promptly picked off by returning All-America safety DeAndre McDaniel.

Welcome to the big-time, kid.

“It was fun,” he said. “Definitely a learning experience.”

That phrase could be applied to Boyd’s entire spring, although he hopes it progresses more smoothly than that first throw. With Parker missing 4-5 practices this spring while concentrating on baseball — a sport that could force him into a career choice later this summer — Boyd knows he has a valuable opportunity staring at him.

His main focus: taking advantage while he can.

“I’m trying to improve the most that I can,” Boyd said Monday following Clemson’s second of 15 spring practices. “I feel like I’m taking steps to be better every day. As long as I do that I’ll be fine.”

While Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said last week he’d be “shocked” if Parker — who will be eligible for baseball’s amateur draft this summer — picks a pro baseball contract over a sophomore season as the Tigers’ starting quarterback, reality says that he and offensive coordinator Billy Napier must prepare for any eventuality.

Parker’s spring focus on baseball makes that possible. When he’s on the diamond, Boyd will lead the offense, and even when he’s around, Boyd will get plenty of attention.

So far, so good, Swinney said.

“He handled it well,” Swinney said of Boyd’s first night running the offense. “That’s a lot of pressure on a guy to walk out here and take his first reps and have to be with the ones. A bunch of veteran linemen, couple veteran tight ends, a couple senior wideouts, a couple veteran backs, and he’s out there trying to run the show. He was poised.”

Monday afternoon, Boyd showed off his arm, zinging passes to receivers with good touch.

He also showed few effects from the reconstructive knee surgery that hastened his redshirt last fall, and said the knee is healthy.

Swinney says Boyd has “a lot of work to do” with fundamentals, technique and handoffs, but lauded his second-practice improvement. Boyd says he’s working hard on footwork, timing, and a quicker release.

“I’m real pleased with Tajh,” he said. “He came out today and some of the mistakes he made yesterday, he corrected them. That’s really what you want to see. You want to see guys correct things, not make the mistakes over and over.”

With all the attention focused on Boyd and Parker, it’s easy to forget that Boyd is learning the Tigers’ offense under an intense spotlight.

“He’s shown good ability so far,” Swinney said. “The first couple days he’s taken things and grasped things pretty good. He’s got a lot more to install, a lot more to do. Hopefully by the end of spring when you ask me (about his offensive progress) I can say he’s got a really good feel for it. It’s a process, building a foundation and putting it all together in a young player.”

Parker’s baseball progress has been closely followed this spring; he’s hitting a team-leading .378 with four HR and 10 RBI for No.12 Clemson. Boyd admits he’s thought about Parker’s potential choice, but is focusing only on himself; he’s a baseball fan who’s rooting for the Tigers to “get to the super regionals and Omaha.”

“It’s just an opportunity to gain reps and get experience,” Boyd said. “I don’t know what (Parker) is going to do. I just have to worry about myself. I feel if I stay true to what I’m supposed to do I’ll be fine.”

NOTABLE

Middle linebacker Brandon Maye joined offensive guard Mason Cloy (broken ankle) in yellow non-contact jerseys Monday. Maye is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in December; he had only seven snaps in the Music City Bowl…Clemson will practice again Wednesday night before taking a 12-day break for spring break. The practice will be open to the general public.

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