Lovie Smith and the Fighting Illini are finalists for one of their top offensive line targets. On Tuesday, three-star prospect Larry Boyd released a Top 4 of Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma State. The big 6-foot-5, 310-pound St. Louis product is the No. 441 overall player in 247Sports' class-of-2017 composite rankings.
My top 4 schools (NO ORDER) , I just want to thank God for all the blessings he has given me pic.twitter.com/jZFgG9W3tG
— Big Larry (@LBJ__76) August 2, 2016
Boyd has been a hot commodity on the Midwestern recruiting trail. In addition to his finalists, he had other Power 5 interest from Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Kansas State, and Iowa State.
Boyd visited Champaign for the first time last weekend, and the coaching staff evidently made a huge impression (link = $$$). He also visited Missouri for the Tigers' 'Night at the Zou' event on July 23. Here's our scouting report from mid-June.
Overall, Boyd's tape is one of the best I've seen over the past year -- he's a terrific pass and run blocker. Boyd has benefited from huge size advantages over defenders at times, but that shouldn't take away from his great measurables and skills. He's nasty, tough, aggressive, physical, and he never stops working.
Although his feet are great most of the time, Boyd occasionally crosses over instead of side-shuffling, which leaves him vulnerable against more athletic rushers. That should improve with more coaching and experience.
- Excellent Strength
- Excellent Power
- Great Quickness
- Great Burst
- Great Speed
Final Rating: 9.0 (Four-Star)
Three-star tackle Vederian Lowe is the only 2017 lineman currently committed to Illinois, and it appears the program will look to secure several more ahead of Signing Day. Adding Boyd to the mix would be a home run for the coaching staff, and it would send a message to other schools recruiting the St. Louis area.
Larry Boyd Highlights