There's been a lot of discussion surrounding Ohio State's options at tight end, and Miles Boykin has just had his name entered back into the conversation.
An exceptionally athletic 6-foot-4, 212 pound tight end, Boykin has the speed (reported 4.41-40) to stretch defenses down the seam and the frame to add good weight, making him a potentially dangerous target for any offense. Notre Dame, Michigan State, Virginia Tech and Florida are some of the schools who've offered the New Lenox (Providence Catholic) star.
After a visit to Columbus last summer for Friday Night Lights where he stood out, and visiting during Ohio State's routing of Penn State in late October, Boykin has been waiting patiently for the Buckeyes to make the offer. Tonight they did.
"I talked to Coach Ash tonight," Boykin said of who extended the offer. "He told me that they wanted to offer me a scholarship and that they really like and are excited about me. It's been a long time waiting for this offer. It means they still have a lot of faith in me and that means a lot."
One of the reason's Ohio State had lost contact was that former Buckeye assistant coach Mike Vrabel was responsible for the Illinois area. Ohio State's new defensive coordinator, Chris Ash, has stepped into that role.
"I just want to get back there, I need to re-establish a relationship with the coaches," Boykin said, admitting that the Buckeyes' not offering sooner had begun to impact his interest in the school. "I think I am going to visit with the Core 6 guys."
It's the size and speed combination of Boykin that has the Buckeyes and other schools interested. Ohio State has been vague up to this point with how they'd use him, but he's comfortable where ever he's asked to line up.
"I see myself as a flex type tight end," Boykin said of his preferred role in an offense. "I am able to beat linebackers down the field if they play man-to-man."
Although a return to Columbus hasn't been finalized, Boykin is hoping to get there before he really begins narrowing down his list of schools.
"I plan on releasing a 'Top 10' list at the end of spring," he said. "I would like to make my decision sometime before my senior season."
