Published: October 13, 2008 11:53 am            

Top QB recruit withdraws commitment to WVU

CHARLESTON — One of the keystone players committed to West Virginia University's 2009 football recruiting class said he no longer wants to play for the Mountaineers.

Tajh Boyd, considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation, is no longer committed to WVU, multiple Web sites -- Rivals.com and SuperPrep.com -- reported Sunday night.

"I'm not considering West Virginia anymore," Boyd told Rivals.com.

Boyd, of Phoebus High in Hampton, Va., had committed to WVU's first-year staff four months ago. He told Rivals.com that he is "looking for an offense that fits my style a bit better."

The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Boyd was the only quarterback among WVU's committed players to the '09 class - now at 15. It has been reported that Boyd had an understanding from WVU coaches that the Mountaineers wouldn't recruit another QB in the class.

Boyd is ranked third nationally by Rivals among dual-threat senior quarterbacks. He is ranked No. 80 among all national prospects by Rivals. In leaving WVU behind, Boyd indicated he wants to have a chance to pass the ball more than the Mountaineers are doing.

A concern for the WVU staff should be in keeping the 2009 commitment bunch together. Two of Boyd's Phoebus teammates are committed to the Mountaineers - 265-pound two-way lineman Dominik Davenport and running back Shawne Alston - as is receiver Logan Heastie of Chesapeake (Va.) Great Bridge High. Heastie has a close friendship with the Phoebus players.

Phoebus is 7-0 this season.

"I decided to de-commit today (Sunday)," Boyd was quoted by Rivals.com recruiting writer Mike Farrell. "I talked to the coaches at West Virginia and let them know.

"I didn't feel it was fair to hold them up in their search for a quarterback and didn't feel good about visiting other schools while committed so I decided to de-commit. I think I just made my decision too early and have been wanting to see what else is out there for a little while."

Boyd said he was going to visit Boston College and Tennessee. He had chosen WVU over those schools and Virginia Tech, Michigan and Virginia. WVU running backs coach Chris Beatty was Boyd's primary contact on the Mountaineer staff

"I have a great deal of respect for West Virginia, the coaches and the fans but I think I'm looking for an offense that fits my style a bit better," Boyd told Rivals.com. "I'm not considering West Virginia anymore. I think it was best to make a clean break. I feel bad because I like Coach (Bill) Stewart and coach Beatty, but I have to do what's best for me in the end."

He took his official visit to WVU on the Sept. 26-27 weekend and viewed the Mountaineers' Coal Bowl win over Marshall. He had missed two games with a knee injury, but returned to lead Phoebus to a win over rival Hampton on Friday night and said the knee isn't a problem.

"I only know of Boston College and Tennessee right now, but I'm curious to see what other schools show interest," Boyd was quoted by Rivals.com. "I've been staying in contact with the coaches at BC and Tennessee and I feel comfortable with them and the offense I've seen them run this year.

"I'm hoping to take official visits to both. I know some of the other schools who recruited me early have already filled up at quarterback and I know it's kind of late, but I'm hoping there will be some schools out there that are still interested as well."

        

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