Boyd is commitment No. 5 for the Red Raiders in 2017
Arlington (Texas) Oakridge wide receiver Bronson Boyd became commitment No. 5 for Texas Tech in the 2017 recruiting class this evening, flipping from Houston and a six-day commitment. Recruiting is weird, but the standout receiver never felt comfortable about his original commitment to Houston.
"I love Houston, but it was a rash decision on my part and I didn't really think it through," Boyd said. "I reconsidered, talked with my parents and decided that Texas Tech was where I wanted to be. I feel relieved, just very happy with my decision. I had felt on edge and unsettled after the Houston commitment, but now I feel at peace."
Boyd reached out to the Texas Tech coaches with the good news earlier this evening.
"I called Coach (Emmett) Jones, we are really close," Boyd said. "I told him about everything and let him know that I wanted to become a Red Raider. After we talked, then I called Coach (Eric) Morris and told him about my commitment.
"They are fired up about it, Coach Jones was surprised because he has always been wanting me to become a Red Raider. We started talking about how they would use me at the inside and the outside receiver positions, how they would get the ball in my hands in a variety of ways."
Even before the commitment to Houston, Boyd released a Top 8 that included the Red Raiders and it caught the attention of Coach Morris.
"When I released my Top 8, Coach Morris started calling and messaging me every day," Body said. "He called me and we talked for a while about how much they wanted me at Texas Tech. I even spoke with Coach (Kliff) Kingsbury and he was saying all of the same things.
"That made me feel great, made me feel really wanted, plus Coach Jones is like a father to me. He treats me like a son and is always talking with me about all the stuff outside of football. My trainer knows him personally and he is probably the coolest coach recruiting me. Him being a Dallas guy and me knowing his background at South Oak Cliff makes it an even better fit."
The 6-foot-3, 183-pound prospect shared more on what he likes about the Texas Tech program.
"First of all, they have my major, Healthcare Management," Boyd said. "Plus the offense is so high-powered, I was watching some tape the other day and really wanted to be a part of that offense. Plus, I really love the coaching staff as well, it's just a great fit.
"I also know Jett Duffey personally, we used to play basketball together when we were younger and I know what type of quarterback he can become in that offense."
Boyd has several connections to Texas Tech, including a position coach from his high school at Arlington Oakridge.
"My wide receivers coach at Oakridge is Carlos Francis," Boyd said. "He's actually been hands off when it comes to the recruiting process, but he does give me tips here and there when I ask about visits or how to evaluate each school. I have been working with him for about a year now, Carlos is a great guy and one of my biggest mentors."
The other Texas Tech 2017 commitments have been working on recruiting Body for quite some time now as well.
"Oh yeah, way before my Top 8 and even before my offer from Texas Tech," Boyd said. "I talked with all of the commits - Jack (Anderson), Dawson (Deaton), Xavier (Martin), and Quincy (Addison).
"It was a different message and a different approach from each guy, but they were telling me about the fans in Lubbock, the new facilities Tech is building, and all of the things around the program there. We all got along well and I'm exited to join them in this 2017 class."
Boyd is a legacy recruit for Texas Tech, his mother is a graduate of the university and a very proud Red Raider this evening.
"Mom is real happy, she is jumping up and down," Boyd laughed.
Rated a 5.5 three-star prospect, Boyd finished with 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns receiving - earning Southwest Preparatory Conference All-State Football honors this past season. He also earned All-State Basketball honors for the Owls this past season.