Pitt junior wide receiver Tyler Boyd, declared his intention to enter the 2016 NFL Draft, forgoing his senior season, per his Instagram account.
Boyd’s announcement came in the form of a poem, in which he thanked the city of Pittsburgh, noting, “I will carry you with me, I will continue to make you proud and I promise to never forget where I came from.”
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi released a statement Friday evening in the wake of the news, confirming Boyd informed the coach of his decision to leave on Friday. “Although I only coached him for a year, I will forever be a fan and a supporter of Tyler and his family,” Narduzzi said in the release. “I wish him the very best at the next level and know that he will make an NFL team very happy.” Boyd became the Panthers’ all-time leading receiver this season, setting the school’s marks in receiving yards and receptions. He finished his career with 254 receptions for 3361 yards and 21 touchdowns. Both teammates and opponents alike took to Twitter to wish Boyd luck in his next step.
Congrats On That Power Move Big Bro @boutdat_23 ? , Definitely Gonna Miss You Next Year. I Know You Gonna Ball Out Though. #MBK #H2P #WRU — Squirrel (@Dree_H2P) January 2, 2016
Good luck in the NFL. You have Pitt and your city right behind you. ? #H2P pic.twitter.com/YbNrcYI7sB — Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) January 2, 2016
Congrats my boy @boutdat_23 ! Go represent next year
— Ryan Switzer (@Switz03) January 2, 2016
Boyd is a local of Western Pennsylvania, and attended Clairton High School before choosing to attend Pitt in 2013.
“Tyler loves Pittsburgh and we love Tyler,” Narduzzi said. “We all look forward to watching him play and succeed at the next level.”