ANALYSIS
Positives…Hard-hitting tackler who lives by the motto "make them pay," and has earned that reputation... Cut in the mold of such legendary punishing defensive backs like Ronnie Lott and Jack Tatum, Boyd prides himself as being considered the Nittany Lions' most feared and intimidating hitter... Fine special teams tackler who shows great awareness playing the zone...Has the hip flexibility to jam the receivers at the line and the foot speed to stay stride-for-stride with his man racing down the sidelines...Ball hawk who loves to jar the pigskin free from unsuspecting ball carriers... Makes sharp breaks out of his backpedal...Aggressively provides run support and has the hands and arm extension to get a piece of the ball in the air.
Negatives…His intent on zeroing in on the ball sometimes brings about sloppy tackling, as he is not the best wrapup tackler you will find...Needs to show better concentration on his man, rather than eying the big play...Hesitant playing off blocks and often misses the open field tackles... Needs to improve his body control and sink his hips better to go low before making the tackle.
CAREER NOTES
The unquestioned leader of PSU's defense, he finished his career ranked 14th on the school's record list with 233 tackles...Became only the thirteenth player in school history to record over 100 tackles in a season and in 2000, he established a new school season-record for defensive backs by registering 109 tackles.
2000 SEASON
All-American third-team selection by The Sporting News, earning honorable mention from Football News...All-Big Ten Conference first-team pick...Jim Thorpe Award semi-finalist...Team co-captain...Started all year at free safety, setting a school defensive back record as he ranked fifth in the Big Ten with 109 tackles (84 solos), including four stops for losses of 6 yards...Had three interceptions for 24 yards in returns and 12 pass deflections...Also recovered a pair of fumbles.
Southern California...Began the season with a 12-tackle performance.
Toledo...Collected a career-high 16 tackles (12 solos), the most hits in a game by a Nittany Lion since linebacker Gerald Filardi posted 17 stops vs. Wisconsin in 1996.
Louisiana Tech...Earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors as he recovered 2 fumbles, advancing one 6 yards for a touchdown and also had a pair of interceptions, returning one 21 yards to set up a score.
Ohio State...Registered 11 hits (8 solos) with 2 pass deflections and an interception.
Purdue...Matching up against QB Drew Brees, he deflected 5 of the Heisman Trophy hopeful's passes.
Illinois…Made 10 tackles…After the game, he was served with an arrest warrant after he was stopped on a routine traffic violation due to outstanding citations for public drunkeness, as well as other traffic violations. He paid off the tickets and the courts closed the case.
Iowa...Delivered 12 solo tackles with 2 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
Minnesota...Posted another 10 tackles.
Michigan...Posted 9 hits (8 solos) with a pass deflection.
Michigan State...Closed out his career with an 8-tackle effort.
1999 SEASON
Played in every game, starting six contests at free safety...Finished third on the team with 69 tackles (51 solos), including four stops behind the line of scrimmage...Also deflected seven passes and had three interceptions.
Ohio State...Made 5 tackles (4 solos) with a pass break-up and an interception as PSU held the Buckeyes to 143 yards in total offense.
Iowa...Delivered 9 tackles, including one for a loss.
Indiana...Posted a season-high 10 tackles (6 solos).
Purdue...Deflected a pass and was in on 8 hits.
Michigan...Followed with 7 tackles and an interception.
Akron...His interception set up a touchdown drive.
Miami and Michigan State...Had 6 tackles in both games.
Texas A&M (Alamo Bowl)...Came up with a solo tackle.
1998 SEASON
Played in every game, starting at free safety vs. Illinois...Despite being a reserve, he ranked sixth on the team with 42 tackles (36 solos), including a stop for a 2-yard loss...Deflected three passes and caused three fumbles.
Bowling Green and Northwestern...Delivered 6 solo stops in both games.
Illinois...In his first career start, he caused a fumble.
Wisconsin...Registered a season-high 11 tackles (8 solos) with a forced fumble and a pass deflection.
Michigan State...Batted away a pass and made 6 solo hits.
Kentucky (Outback Bowl)...Came up with 4 tackles.
1997 SEASON
Played in every game, mostly on special teams...Finished with 13 tackles (10 solos).
Louisville...Had a season-high 3 tackles.
Michigan and Purdue...Added a pair of tackles in both games.
AGILITY TESTS
4.5 in the 40-yard dash…30 ¼-inch arms…8 ¾-inch hands.
HIGH SCHOOL
As a senior captain at Indian River (Chesapeake, Va.) High, he was selected first-team All-American by USA Today and Parade Magazine, leading his team to the Virginia AAA state championship...Totaled 5151 yards and 49 touchdowns in his career as a quarterback, running back and wide receiver...As a senior defensive back, he made 86 tackles, including 17 sacks, five interceptions, three fumble recoveries and seven blocked kicks...Two-time Associated Press first-team All-State selection....Led Indian River to a record of 44-9 in his four years...Also started four seasons on the basketball team and was a two-time captain.
PERSONAL
Administration of Justice major...Born James Aaron Boyd on 10/17/77...Resides in Chesapeake, Virginia.
