Former USC DE James Boyd Eligible For Supplemental Draft

Former Trojan defensive end James Boyd is eligible for this Thursday’s Supplemental NFL Draft after sputtering through his college career at three different schools.

The Long Beach Jordan high school standout started his college career at USC, where he switched from being a quarterback to a defensive end as freshman in 2009. However a number of injuries and off the field issues kept Boyd on the sidelines for two years and ultimately caused him to leave Troy for West L.A. College. From there, he transferred to UNLV and looked to make a return to his natural position of quarterback.

UNLV coach Bobby Huack promised Boyd a shot at QB, but by Spring 2012, it was clear that a role there would not come to fruition for Boyd. At six-foot-five, 255-pounds, he has the size and build of a defensive end and ultimately moved back to that position.

This time though, Boyd would get to see some action on the field; he had 2.5 sacks and 21 tackles last season for the Rebels, showing a natural ability on the defensive line.

Boyd now seeks a shot at the NFL, along with five other athletes chosen for the Supplemental Draft. He is considered to be the best athlete of the bunch, with the most potential of the bunch for success at the next level.

The supplemental draft operates like a tiered lottery, with the teams that had six wins or fewer in 2012 slotted in the first group. The teams that performed the worst last year have the best chances of winning the lottery. If all the first tier teams pass on a player, the second tier teams have an opportunity to take him. After both tiers one and two go, the The final tier–consisting of the 12 playoff teams–get a selection as well, weighed in the same style.

When the order is set, teams tell the league the player they want and the future round draft pick they’re willing to give up for him. The team that gives up the highest pick in order gets the player. If a team successfully picks up a player in the supplemental draft, they give up that corresponding round pick in the subsequent NFL draft.